He was indeed a great lifter, Jesse, and it is remarkable that he was able to overcome polio and become a national champion and a world-class lifter. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Deal
I saw Gary Deal lift many years ago at a Senior Nationals and was very impressed with his lifting. If I remember correctly, he would put his right hand on the bar and then use his left hand to wrap the fingers of the right hand around the bar before gripping the bar with his left hand. I thought he lifting incredible considering the handicap he was dealing with.
I never met him in person but talked to him on the phone. My Uncle Wayne lifted against Gary back in the day. I started to write some stuff on him but decided I am going to do a blog story on him! He’s an amazing guy!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder