USAWA

Tom, Have you seen pictures of Apollon in his latter days? I agree he may have only weighed 260 in his prime, but he surely was pushing 300 pounds in his latter years.

I greatly admire Joe Roarks research in trying to disprove mythical stories of old time strongmen. Several he has gathered enough information to make one wonder if some of the stories are indeed true. The problem now is the abscence of first hand witnesses as anyone who seen the performances are long dead.

I put all reported strength stories of old time strongman in that catagory – as just interesting stories and nothing more. Strength claims only fall into 2 catagories for me – official meet performances that are true and interesting stories that have mystical qualities that may be true or untrue. None the less, I find these stories very interesting in a folk tale type of way, but take them all with a “grain of salt” in being actual truths. Al

PS That one handed snatch of Apollons with the thick bar is another “story” in my mind. Willoughby reported it as a “near snatch” as Apollon only got it to the height of his head.

I have sure learned that in writing about the old timers you can’t win. If you report what has been alleged that they did…you get bombed with hate mail about perpetuating myths. If you say it and use the words “maybe”, “might have”, “alleged” or anything other than it’s a “STONE COLD FACT” you get bombed with hate mail that you are “disrespecting a legeng” and people saying “I was there, my Dad was there, my friend was there….are you calling us liars”!

Tom, I was mistakenly thinking of the story with Marx from Willoughbys book.

Apollon was indeed a very strong man. However, there are very few pictures of him actually lifting. I have read that even him lifting his Apollons Wheels are questionable??? There are no pictures of him doing it for proof.

One thing we have to remember about Old Time Strongmen and their performances are that they were done as professional shows, and thus the entertainment factor was the main goal. Much like pro wrasslin today. That is why I have a hard time believing many of the reported strength claims. If an oldtime strongman could make a CONVINCING performance that would draw in the large crowds regardless of any “trickery”, that would make the promoters happy and the performer would get his paycheck.

You can’t really blame them for “staging” their performances. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do the same thing if I was in their shoes at the time. I would enlist my good friend Thom as my “consultant”, and between the two of us we could easily fake out the crowd because we all know that Thom is the master of weightlifting deception. (LOL). dinoman

Did you really have to got there, Al?

I will say this, I’m like Al, I NEVER lie, I just don’t disclose all the information until such a time as it is to my advantage.

When we do our “shows” we certainly add showmanship, and I will dramatize a lift, but I can say I’ve never ever lied about the weight on a bar. If anything, I’ve not disclosed a weight and let them think what they will. I know one time I had some rubber bumpers on a bar and took it and push pressed it for 10 reps and had the kids count along. There was 225 on the bar, when done I let it fall crashing to the floor. Later, I heard I lifted “400lbs” overhead! This is an example of how things can get out of had quickly. Also, I used to work at a lockdown behavioral unit. At 6’3″ and 300lbs I’m not a small guy….but later I heard that the kids were telling the new kids about me and after a turnover a couple of times of new kids…I became 7ft tall and 400lbs! I kid you not!

I think this is what happens to the old timers! Another thing I thing they may have done. They many have done a lift, let’s say a 300lb clean and press. Then in their shows, say, “300lbs clean and press” and then lift something lighter and let the audience assume that’s their best lift. Also, back then, you blow out a knee, you end up an invalid. No fancy orthopedic surgeons to save your career, no government medicare or social security to fall back on….you were SCREWED! I would do the same as many of them in the cirucmstances. MOST of them were legitimately super strong, some were charlatans.

haha Good response Thom.

I can’t believe it took two days before you noticed my post. You know I was just kidding you about being the “master of weightlifting deception”. I know your shows are legit and have made a very positive influence on lots of people. However I have heard of some evangelist strength shows where “things were fixed”. That is the ultimate in hypocrisy and deception. Spreading the word while lying about your performance is inexcusable!!!

I have been a busy guy lately! However, I agree that there are some groups out there doing some fake stuff. I felt like if we lied about the feats or weights and people caught on, then they would question what we said. I know you were pulling my leg….you really know how to get me going even when I KNOW that’s what you are trying to do….you are a good fisherman!

[b]Quote from dinoman on April 12, 2012, 10:52[/b]
haha Good response Thom.

However I have heard of some evangelist strength shows where “things were fixed”. That is the ultimate in hypocrisy and deception. Spreading the word while lying about your performance is inexcusable!!!

Al , this is my biggest hate in sport (And in life for that matter). Seeing the drug cheat drop to his knees and pray after his win. Or see a cheat thank God for his victory! I have always said, they are cheating their fans, their selves and most of all GOD!!!!!