AOBS Memorial Hall of Fame
While one of the
foundations of the AOBS is the recognition
of legends of the Iron Game at its annual dinners. What this approach
misses, is those legends who, sadly, were not still alive or well when the AOBS
began its work. This issue was addressed in 2005 with the creation of a
posthumous award to recognize greats of the Iron Game who never lived to be
honored by the AOBS. In the history of Iron Game, at least in the US, there has
probably never been a more influential person than Bob Hoffman, hence his
selection as the first honoree in the AOBS Hall of Fame.
June 11, 2005
June 3, 2006
Joe Greenstein “The
Mighty Atom”
June 9, 2007
October 23, 2010
September 17, 2011
John Davis -
John Davis burst upon the International
weightlifting scene in 1938, at the age of 17. Appearing at the World
Championships in Vienna that year, in the light heavyweight division, Davis
became the youngest athlete ever to win a world weightlifting championship. And
he broke the world record in the total on the same occasion (amply demonstrating
that his victory was no fluke). Thus began in international weightlifting career
during which Davis was undefeated internationally for 15 years! Over the course of those years,
John won the US Nationals 12 times, set numerous world records, won 6 World
Championships and 2 Olympic Games. Considered the World’s Strongest Man in his
era, he could have easily defended the title, as he was almost as outstanding in
feats of deadlifting, squatting and many other strength tests as he was in
performing the classic Olympic-style lifts.
Joe “The Mighty Atom” Greenstein -
Though diminutive in size,
the Mighty Atom was one of the most famous strongmen of all time. The array of
strength feats he could perform was dazzling. And his abilities were not limited
to strength feats (the Atom wrestled the legendary George Bothner – undefeated
for decades – to a draw). His most famous performance was before a packed
Madison Square Garden in 1975 at a Martial arts show. Though past the age of 80,
he thrilled the crowd with his mighty feats. Perhaps his most famous feat was
biting a nail in half. Joe proved to be an inspiration for many, including Slim
“The Hammerman” Farman.
Bob Hoffman probably did more to popularize the use of weights than any other person in the history of the Iron Game. His York Barbell Co,.Strength & Health magazine and other publications introduced millions to the benefits of weight training, exercise and sound diet. Through his recruiting and coaching he took the US Weightlifting Team from relative minor leaguers in the early 1930's to legitimate contenders for the World title by the end of the decade and to winning 3 Olympic Team titles after WWII. His tireless advocacy for weight training helped to destroy the myths about the sport and make weight training an accepted conditioning method for athletes in every sport. His marketing of protein supplements was responsible for creating a huge industry. He proclaimed himself the “father of American weightlifting” but it would be hard to imagine anyone who more richly deserved that title.
Eugen
Sandow - was a phenomenon of his era. Prior to Sandow,
there had been many strong men, and strength performers, but he
combined his strength and his amazing physique with the ability to
display his muscles in an unprecedented way. His reputation grew to
sensational levels throughout Europe, where he wowed audiences that
included the royalty of the continent. He then appeared in the
legendary Ziegfeld Follies, traveling throughout the US and becoming
so well known that Thomas Edison made Sandow the star of one of his
first short motion pictures. Returning to Europe, Sandow's fame
helped him to successfully establish gymnasiums that were ahead of
their time, and training systems that inspired untold numbers to
take up and sustain exercise programs for the first time in their
lives. Few individuals in Iron Game history had as great an impact
as Sandow.
Warren
Lincoln Travis was perhaps America's first famous strongman.
Emerging on the strength scene near the turn of the 20th century, Travis become
famous for back lifting and other feats with massive weights that had been made
popular by some of the great European strongmen. Based in Brooklyn, he traveled
the country, and even outside the US, displaying his strength and challenging
all to try to duplicate a combination of ten feats that Travis preferred. He
became truly famous after winning jewel encrusted belt offered by the Police
Gazette, then the most widely read sporting publication in the US. He died when
he was in his 60's, shortly after performing on on his beloved Brooklyn stage.
He mentored another AOBS Hall of Famer, Joe "The Great" Rollino, and is depicted
in the Jim Sanders painting displayed on the left..
Joe
"The Great" Rollino had perhaps the longest career of
any strongman in history. He began training at the age of ten, under
the guidance of Warren Linclon Travis. By the time he was 15, he was
performing on stage with Travis, and he continued to perform
publicly at least into his 80's, and informally well into his 90's.
Renowned as much for his character and prodigious memory as for his
physical strength, he himself mentored generation after generation
of young strongmen, most of whom remained ardent admirers of the
great one for the rest of their lives. Boxer, linguist, war hero,
bodyguard to the stars, legendary stevedore, cold water swimmer and
vegetarian for more than 80 years, Joe left a lasting and positive
impact on anyone who had the great fortune to meet this amazing man,
who was as enthusiastic about his beloved Iron Game as a centenarian
as he was as a young boy.