Teeth Lifting Archives - Page 2 of 2 - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Stanley Radwan ~ The Iron Man

Posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2012 by John Wood

Stanley Radwan ~ The Iron Man

Stanley Radwan was a catch-wrestler and strongman who performed during the 1940’s and 50’s in the Cleveland, Ohio area. This event poster from 1949 advertises Radwan pulling cars with his teeth, biting through steel, breaking chains, bending horseshoes, bend nails and spikes, nail driving by hand, tearing decks of cards, and performing the human chain feat. It was said Radwan could also bend coins with his hands. As a side note, St. Josaphat’s Hall is still around, it was converted to an art gallery a few years ago.

The Amazing Samson ~ Girder Lifting

Posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 by John Wood

The Amazing Samson Girder Lift!

Here’s a Human Chain” feat of a whole different sort. That’s “The Amazing Samson” Alexander Zass suspended in mid-air while also lifting a 500-pound iron girder in his teeth. That’s a pretty awesome feat no matter how you slice it, one that we have never seen equaled before or since.

Unknown Strongman #2

Posted on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 by John Wood

Unknown Strongman #2

Here’s another good example of an unknown strongman, whose name and feats are unfortunately lost to the sands of time. This fellow is obviously a big fan of barrel lifting and blockweights or kettlebells. Notice that while his arms are not particularly large his forearm development is exceptional — no doubt the result of lifting, heavy, awkward objects.

UPDATE: Unknown no more! He is Signor Dondretti, Iron Jaw Athlete and contortionist – he performed with the King & Franklin’s New Colossal Shows in the late 1800s and lifted a 1000 lb. horse with his teeth!

“The Amazing Samson” Alexander Zass

Posted on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 by John Wood

Alexander Zass - The Amazing Samson

As far as Oldtime Strongmen go, few were more impressive than “The Amazing Samson” Alexander Zass. Bending and breaking nails… twisting horse shoes …driving nails by hand… supporting feats… scrolling steel… breaking chains… teeth lifting… carrying horses or pianos on his back… Samson did it all. Interestingly, Zass attributed much of his strength and development to isometric training.

Jaw Strength

Posted on Sunday, August 28th, 2011 by John Wood

Many of the Oldtime Strongmen used teeth lifting in their performances and also as a neck developer. If you do decide to incorporate this lift into your training, please do so safely. Here’s a classic shot of Jim Murray, managing editor of Strength and Health Magazine, using a York Barbell Company custom-made mouthpiece to lift a 200-pound dumbbell.