Alexander Zass
Russian strongman and professional wrestler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexander Ivanovich Zass (6 March 1888 – 26 September 1962)[2] was a Russian[3] strongman, professional wrestler, and animal trainer.[4] He was better known by his stage names, The Amazing Samson,[5][6] Iron Samson,[6] or simply Samson,[7] Zass has been credited as the "first Russian champion in weightlifting in the pre-Revolutionary era".[8]
Iron Samson
Samson
| |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 March 1888 |
| Died | 26 September 1962 (aged 74) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | The Amazing Samson Iron Samson Samson |
| Billed height | 5'6 (168cm)[1] |
| Billed weight | 176 lb (80 kg)[1] |
Biography
Zass was born on 6 March 1888[2] in Vilnius,[8] then part of the Russian Empire.[2] While a young man, Zass' strength training included "bending green branches".[6]
During First World War, Zass served in the Russian army, fighting against the Austrians.[6] He was taken as a prisoner of war four times, but managed to escape each time.[4] As a prisoner, he pushed and pulled his cell bars as part of strength training,[9] which was cited as an example of the effectiveness of isometrics.[10] At least one of his escapes involved him 'breaking chains and bending bars'.[4] He went on to promote the use of isometric exercises.[5]
Following the war, Zass joined a circus to perform feats of strength, touring internationally.[8][9] It has been claimed that Zass was a spy and secret agent working for Russian military intelligence, using his circus travelling as cover.[2] In 1926, his autobiography, The Amazing Samson: as Told by Himself, was published.[11]
His first wife, Blanche M M Zass, died on 22 August 1928 in Forest Hill Kent aged 19.[2] He was still performing as a strongman in the 1930s.[10]
From the 1930s until his death, Zass lived in Hockley, Essex, staying in a bungalow along with other former circus acts.[2][12] 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.[2] 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.[13] His estate was valued at £2263 2s.[14]
He was honoured with a statue in a museum in Orenburg, Russia.[2]
Strength feats
Zass has been credited with various feats of strength:
- Carrying his injured horse in wartime[8]
- Carrying on his shoulders two lions as part of his circus act[8]
- Carrying on his shoulders simultaneously a grand piano, a pianist and a dancer.[15]
- Catching a woman fired from a cannon[12]
- Suspending a piano from his teeth[2]
- Bending with his bare hands an iron bar 5 inches long and 0.625 inches square into a U-shape[16]
- Being able to "pound a 5-inch spike through a 2 inch thick plank using only the palm of his bare hand"[16]