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George Hackenschmidt

George H

Career Highlights

  • George Hackenschmidt, The Russian Lion,” was a bodybuilder and championship wrestler around the turn of the century..
  • George Hackenschmidt started his career in the late 1890s and quickly became a major wrestling celebrity in Europe..
  • November 1901: George won the European version of the World Heavyweight championship in Vienna defeating Ahmed Madrali..
  • Early 1902: George Hackenschmidt won the European Greco Roman Heavyweight title..
  • George Hackenschmidt held both European titles for 3 years..
  • May 4, 1905: George Hackenschmidt defeated Tom Jenkins in New York City to win the American Heavyweight title..
  • This solidified George Hackenschmidt as the true owner of the unified, undisputed World Championship..
  • All three titles were declared vacant, and Hackenschmidt was recognized as the original World Heavyweight Wrestling champion..
  • George’s first encounter with Frank Gotch occured at the Dexter Park Pavilion on Chicago’s south side..
  • ~~~It was an epic struggle that lasted over 2 1/2 hours which saw George submit to Gotch’s anklelock..
  • ~~~After the match, George Hackenschmidt accused Gotch of using “unscrupulous methods” and challenged him to a rematch..
  • Labor Day 1908: The rematch happened at the brand-new Commisky Park in Chicago and drew well over 30,000 fans for a record..
  • ~~~George lost again, primarily because Gotch had paid off the legendary hooker Ad Santel to make sure George was not at 100%..
  • ~~~Santel did just that, by seriously injuring Hackenschmidt’s knee during what was intended to be a simple training session.
  • Grorge Hackenschmidt was eventually defeated in 1908 by Frank Gotch, whom some consider to be a “dirty wrestler.”
  • George Hackenschmidt was also an author, who wrote a combination training manual and biography called “The Way to Live.”
  • ~~~It was first published in 1908 and by 1940 there were 21 editions..
  • ~~~It was was considered to be one of the largest selling books on physical culture ever..
  • George Hackenschmidt’s marathon battles with Frank Gotch over the World Heavyweight title were legendary..
  • George Hackenschmidt was known to perform elaborate exhibitions of strength before his matches..
  • February 19, 1968: George Hackenschmidt passed away in England at the age of 90 of natural causes..

 

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Debut

September 1896

Birthday

July 20, 1878

Hometown

Dorpat, Estonia

Gender

Height

6'0"

Weight

230 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Modifed Bearhug

Favorite Move(s)

Notable Feuds

Frank Gotch

Status