Guest Jeff Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 By all of your records who is the strongest pound for pound man to ever live? I know this has been asked and theorized on for ages, but by actual facts who is? I am talking all around from gripping, odd lifts, powerlifts, o-lifts to repetition contests to pushups and situps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 Jeff, Off the top of my head I would say Joe Roark. But knowing the battle to be brought by such a statement... I don't know the answer to your question, Jeff- have not studied the matter in those terms, and trust me when I predict that if I did have an answer it would bring on almost as much dissent as my opening paragraph. Which hurts me deeply. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 115-1005574997 Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 David Horne should be able to help out with that one... it will be interestinng to see what people recon. Small oly lifters like Suleymanoglu must take some beating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Say Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 I don't think that could be answered. People would argue for Arthur Saxon because of his bent press, but how would he have done on a flat-footed squat? Some might say Ed Coan is the strongest pound for pound, but he doesn't have the grip to be strong all over. I think that you's have to pick a bunch of lifts & say 'who was the strongest pound for pound on the press?' & stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danreeves Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 I think it's one of those questions that is designed to lead to endless debate and discussion. Like you said Nathan, it just depends on what lifts you're talkign about, and what aspects. But then again you also have to argue what is strength? Some would say a 600 lb bench is impressive, and it is, but then if the lifter can't pinch 2 45's or close the #3 COC, others say hes not that strong. In my opinion the Strongman contests come closest to giving a picture of overall strength from an athlete, but in their current format, only for the superheavy athletes. Maybe a list of lifts to be done at set weights and others at % of bodyweight could be determined to help see who really is the strongest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 In the 1920s the British Amateur Wl Assoc would decide which lifts would be contested for the next year or so, thus everyone, assuming a basic 'core' strength level could practice for the upcoming contests. This of course followed the older times when two men lifted against each other and each was allowed a certain number of lift choices. Of course, each man selected what he was best at, or better suited for. Imagine a contest where Saxon was not allowed the bent press, or Cyr was forced to include a bent press. If the question is fined-tuned mentioning certain lifts then it becomes a matter of records, but how much import a bench press should have over a squat, or closing a hard gripper should have over pinch gripping etc., muddles the issue into each of us showing a bias. It's like asking who is the fastest runner in the world? In which length race? Nonetheless it is an appropriate question that makes us think, and at least categorize who was good in which lifts. So, if a lifter's ability in every known lift was recorded we could more easily compare, but even at that the original question of pound for pound confuses the issue. Does bodyweight matter on closing a 500ip gripper? Has anyone in a wheelchair (at implied lighter bodyweight) closed one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 I thought this would be a most confusing question. I wondered about this after watching re-runs of the WSM contests yesterday when they were doing the legends spill about Kaz. A few of those guys said he was most definately the strongest man to ever live. I see it...then again I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 Years ago in Peoria, Illinois, Paul Anderson's main-man-fan asked did I agree that Paul was the strongest man that has ever lived. I asked 'In which lift', he replied, 'In ANY lift'. Then, I said, no, because his hand strength was not in the elite category. Then main-man-fan told me that hand strength did not matter. Hey Wannagrip, close down this board today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baldy Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 Those WSM re-runs are great, aren't they? Kaz sure was strong in his day (still is strong too). Sigmarsson was also great, and ver Magnusson. Anyone to repeat in WSM is a monster. As for being the strongest ever, though... that is tough isn't it? Like everyone said, there are just too many categories. WSM guys are usually well rounded. Heavyweight Olympic lifters put immense amounts of weight overhead (imagine 578 lbs over your head), and deep squat some really big numbers too. Basque stonelifters do things that don't seem possible, like shouldering 600+ lb stones for reps. The cool thing is that all these super strong guys have to have good grip strength to perform these feats. Ed Coan may not be a gripper king but I would bet he could do some brutal deadlift lockouts. Since we can't think of someone who is or was "strongest", is there anyone in strength history that didn't have any apparent "weak areas"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Roark Posted February 19, 2002 Share Posted February 19, 2002 When thinking about it... Mr. All Around had to be John Grimek. He had grip strength, was an O-lifter, bodybuilder and from old stories great endurance and great skill at balancing, gymnastics and calestenics. I would say he is the man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I have been around Ed coan a number of times and watched him compete at 165lb class and up.He is a powerlifters powerlifter! AT my first meeting with him Larry Pacifico another legend in powerlifting came up to me out of the clear blue and said I have the man to shut that gripper (ole 527) of yours...... and after trys that day by Ted Arcidi, Ken Lain and Anthony Clark (all 700 plus benchers) only Mr. Coan gave it a "good ride" down to 3/4 of an inch. His hands are VERY stong and much larger than mine.A man mountain of some years ago John Gamble while in Terry Todd and my presence pushed the old three down to about 3/8 and in my mind is the best attempt I can personally recall another guy doing on that gripper.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I can't tell you WHO is the strongest man ever (pound-for-pound), but I can tell you who it is TODAY. According to Ripley's Believe It Or Not.... it's Dennis Rogers. Yeah, believe it or not!! ??? ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest liquidtheorems Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Just as an all around strong man I'd have to say Joka Ahola<sp> He is a small man compared to the other competitors and he makes those events in WSM look real easy. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 While messing around the 'net, I found this site. Not very accurate, but the writer does provide some good data: http://www.abcs.com/kraut/strong.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 Two quick items . First is it not true that the Millenium dumbell 228lb which I think has the same handle size as the Inch bell has been lifted?That is a whopping 46 pounds MORE than the Inch......WOW! Also, a fellow called today and said he bought a 2.5 inch handled BAR from PDA and deadlifts it for sets of 3 AND presses it when loaded to 200.Love to see that!As Mr. Strossen said I guess the new guys are soooooo much better.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 By the way, on my last post that 200 press was with ONE hand not two on the big bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 No one has lifted the Millennium bell - not a one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Piche Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 Wait a sec here. 200lbs and presses it with one hand. 2.5 inch handle? For THREE reps deadlifting it too? Richard, quit calling the San Diego Zoo and talking to George the Gorilla! :hehe :hehe :hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 My son Bert told him to get pictures or a video! Also,there was a photo of a fellow lifting the Millenium bell 228lb on the Grip Page gallery... Mr. Mob was that an error? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terminator Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 Unless you were talking to Andre the Giant (God rest his soul), I'd say that guy got the wrong type of mushrooms on his pizza. Or he belongs in the Liar's club. :crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 In a way... He's lifting it with two hands and the challenge is one handed. I mean if thats the case I've done it dozens of times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP Posted February 22, 2002 Share Posted February 22, 2002 i don't know snott... i have a hard time believing anything on that site after the posted totals for kovacs. i know that we should just each piece of info on its own, but anyone that belives those claims of kovacs and especialy that he could beat the russians at oly lifting anytime he wanted to has got to be more than a little gullible!@! i mean- claims on kovacs seem to sugest that he could beat any lift specialist (bench, dead, squat as well as oly lifts) any pro bodybuilder (dispite his apparent inability to complete a single contest) and any strongman (strongman is too dangerous that's the only reason he dosn't).. sorry to get on a soapbox but these type of claims offend everyone who has worked hard to get where they are in these sports... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted February 24, 2002 Share Posted February 24, 2002 AP, Again.... speak the truth, my brother!! I printed that page out on my computer printer just so I could get a better read of it. Pure garbage. First off, the guy (whoever wrote that piece of crap article) is SO impressed with bench pressing and whether or not some dude has "short arms" or not. WHAT? That and he gives the powerlifters and benchers more credit than strongmen like Kaz and Paul Anderson.... only briefly mentioning them. And he doesn't even mention Saxon or Sandow or some of the others. Bench pressing is NOT the end-all-be-all by any means!!!..... however, this guy thinks it is. What a moron. :hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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