Ivan Poddubnyi

«CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS»

Ivan Poddubnyi was born in the family of Dnieper Cossacks and inherited from the ancestors his great height, phenomenal power and extraordinary endurance.

•In the childhood on Sundays and holidays he sang in the church choir

At the age of 32, at Greco-Roman Championship Ivan Poddubnyi’s medical record contained the following information: height 184 cm, weight 118 kg, biceps 46 cm, 134 cm chest, hip 70 cm, 50 cm neck

•His fans gave Ivan a lot of names, among them: "Ivan invincible", "Threat to Champions," “Mountain Man", "Champion of Champions".

•In 1904, at the competition of athletes, Ivan Poddubnyi lifted on his biceps the weight of 120 kg.

Although Ivan Poddubnyi lost some of his fights, during 40 years of his sport career he did not lose any competition or tournament.

•During the fascist occupation of Eysk, 70-year-old Poddubnyi refused to go to Germany to train German athletes, saying: "I am a Russian wrestler. And I will stay Russian forever . "

•Ivan had a steel walking stick weighing 16 kg, with which he constantly walked.

•The postwar years Poddubnyi spent in terrible poverty, in order to buy food he had to sell all his awards.

•At the grave of Ivan Poddubnyi it is written: "Here lies the Russian Hercules."