Alexander Zass Explained
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".
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] 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.[12] His estate was valued at £2263 2s.[13]
He was honoured with a statue in a museum in Orenburg, Russia.
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.[14]
- Catching a woman fired from a cannon[15]
- 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]
External links
Notes and References
- Book: Sputnik. 1982. University of California. 174. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Gordon. Dee. The Secret History of Southend-on-Sea. 15 February 2014. The History Press. 9780750955454. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Peppard. Victor. Riordan. James. Playing politics: Soviet sport diplomacy to 1992. 1993. JAI Press. 9781559385251. 19. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Shapshnikoff. Yuri. Drapkin. A.. The Mystery of the Iron Samson: The Life and Training of Strongman Alexander Zass. 20 August 2012. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 9781478393276. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Zass. Alexander. The Amazing Samson. 21 October 2011. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 9781466457843.
- Book: Kent. Graeme. The Strongest Men on Earth: When the Muscle Men Ruled Show Business. Biteback Publishing. 9781849544894. 3 October 2012.
- Book: Kilgarriff. Michael. Grace, Beauty & Banjos. 1998. Oberon. 9781840021165. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Beumers. Birgit. Pop Culture Russia!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. 1 January 2005. ABC-CLIO. 9781851094592. 281. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Marshall. Brenda. The Body Book. 1978. Chartwell Books. 0890091668.
- Book: Weaver. Gabrielle. The Complete Head to Toe Exercise Book: Get Fitter, Feel Better. 1975. Cavendish. 9780856850912. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Zass. Alexander. Pullum. William Albert. The Amazing Samson: as Told by Himself. With a Foreword by W. A. Pullum. [With Plates.].]. 1926. London.
- Web site: Find a Grave. live. 4 September 2021. FindAGrave. https://web.archive.org/web/20210904062806/https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15053770/alexander-ivanovich-zass . 2021-09-04 .
- England and Wales, National Probate Calendar 1962
- Book: Riordan. James. Sport in Soviet Society: Development of Sport and Physical Education in Russia and the USSR. 30 June 1980. CUP Archive. 9780521280235. 17. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Gordon. Dee. Little Book of Essex. 26 December 2010. The History Press. 9780752462639. 11 May 2015.
- Book: Willoughby. David P.. The Super-Athletes. 1970. A. S. Barnes, Incorporated. 9780498066511. 11 May 2015.
