John Lemm

Posted on Friday, March 18th, 2016 by John Wood
Another look at a very rare picture of wrestler John Lemm, who was also known at “The Swiss Hercules”. With a set of wheels like that, it’s not hard to see why he was one of the first men in history to squat with 500 pounds ~ although it is plain to see that Lemm was pretty impressive all around.

Lemm won a famous 1908 wrestling tournament in London billed as “The Battle of Giants” where he defeated, amongst others, the then title-holder Russian Ivan Poddubny and the great French wrestler/strongman Apollon.

All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2005-2021 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Author: John Wood. All contents, including images and text, copyright © 2005-2021 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. We will most likely grant permission but please contact us if you would like to repost. IMPORTANT: Equipment and books, courses etc. pictured in blog posts are generally not available for sale unless specifically noted.

Francois Lancoud

Posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2014 by John Wood
The Swiss Weightlifter and Strongman Francois Lancoud became the second World Weightlifting Champion on October 5th, 1903, at an event held at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France. Among his winning lifts were a snatch of 231-1/2 lbs. and a clean & jerk of 292 lbs. The German strongman Heinrich Schneidereit finished second and the Belgian lifter Gustave Empain finishing third.
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2005-2021 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Author: John Wood. All contents, including images and text, copyright © 2005-2021 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. We will most likely grant permission but please contact us if you would like to repost. IMPORTANT: Equipment and books, courses etc. pictured in blog posts are generally not available for sale unless specifically noted.

The Strongmen of the Thule Athletic Club

Posted on Monday, December 17th, 2012 by John Wood

The Strongmen of the Thule Athletic Club

A look at a few of the strongmen from the Thule Athletic Club, Trelleborg, Sweden, circa 1899. Obviously they were big kettlebell fans. Look closely and you’ll also notice that the globe barbell in the foreground has a thicker than average handle — which, given the forearm development displayed by these athletes, comes as no great surprise. ~ Now THAT is some outstanding training gear.

Maurice Deriaz

Posted on Thursday, September 27th, 2012 by John Wood

Marice Deriaz, Globe Barbell Lift

Maurice Deriaz, the great Swiss strongman, is shown here setting a record in the one arm clean and jerk with a lift of 211 French Livres (about 228 pounds.) Maurice was one of several brothers who were all celebrated strength athletes (the others being Emile, Adrian, and Ulysses.) Maurice was also a good wrestler, once beating forty-four opponents in a row to win a Greco-Roman tournament.