Georg Hackenschmidt

Georg Hackenschmidt

Georg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (1 August 1877 — 19 February 1968) was an early 20th-century strongman and professional wrestler. He was the first free-style heavyweight champion of the world. He launched his professional career in Reval, Governorate of Estonia, and lived most of his life in London, England, where he gained the nickname of 'The Russian Lion'. Hackenschmidt is believed to be the creator of the professional wrestling version of the bear hug as well as the person who popularised the hack squat, a deadlift with arms behind the body.