Alexander Zass

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Alexander Ivanovich Zass (6 March 1888 – 26 September 1962)[1] was a Russian[2] strongman, professional wrestler, and animal trainer.[3] He was better known by his stage names, The Amazing Samson,[4][5] Iron Samson,[5] or simply Samson,[6] Zass has been credited as the "first Russian champion in weightlifting in the pre-Revolutionary era".[7]

Biography

Zass was born on 6 March 1888[1] in Vilnius,[7] then part of the Russian Empire.[1] While a young man, Zass' strength training included "bending green branches".[5]

During First World War, Zass served in the Russian army, fighting against the Austrians.[5] He was taken as a prisoner of war four times, but managed to escape each time.[3] As a prisoner, he pushed and pulled his cell bars as part of strength training,[8] which was cited as an example of the effectiveness of isometrics.[9] At least one of his escapes involved him 'breaking chains and bending bars'.[3] He went on to promote the use of isometric exercises.[4]

Following the war, Zass joined a circus to perform feats of strength, touring internationally.[7][8] It has been claimed that Zass was a spy and secret agent working for Russian military intelligence, using his circus travelling as cover.[1] In 1926, his autobiography, The Amazing Samson: as Told by Himself, was published.[10]

His first wife, Blanche M M Zass, died on 22 August 1928 in Forest Hill Kent aged 19.[1] He was still performing as a strongman in the 1930s.[9]

From the 1930s until his death, Zass lived in Hockley, Essex, staying in a bungalow along with other former circus acts.[1][11] He died in 1962; after a dawn funeral (a circus tradition), he was buried in the parish church of St Peter & St Paul in Hockley, England.[1] The inscription on the grave is: [three lines of Cyrillic script, translated as: Dear Shura [pet name for Alexander] You are always with us Sister Nadya Zass, nephew Yura] / ALEXANDER ZASS (Samson) / The worlds strongest man / died 26th Sept 1962 aged 74.[12] His estate was valued at £2263 2s.[13]

He was honoured with a statue in a museum in Orenburg, Russia.[1]

Strength feats

Zass has been credited with various feats of strength:

  • Carrying his injured horse in wartime[7]
  • Carrying on his shoulders two lions as part of his circus act[7]
  • Carrying on his shoulders simultaneously a grand piano, a pianist and a dancer.[14]
  • Catching a woman fired from a cannon[11]
  • Suspending a piano from his teeth[1]
  • Bending with his bare hands an iron bar 5 inches long and 0.625 inches square into a U-shape[15]
  • Being able to "pound a 5-inch spike through a 2 inch thick plank using only the palm of his bare hand"[15]

References

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  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ England and Wales, National Probate Calendar 1962
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Template:Physical culture Template:Authority control

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