Alexander Zass

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]

Alexander Zass
Born6 March 1888
Vilnius, Vilna Governorate, Russian Empire
Died26 September 1962
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Amazing Samson
Iron Samson
Samson
Billed height167 cm (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Billed weight80 kg (176 lb)[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]

References
  1. Sputnik. University of California. 1982. p. 174. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  2. Gordon, Dee (15 February 2014). The Secret History of Southend-on-Sea. The History Press. ISBN 9780750955454. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  3. Peppard, Victor; Riordan, James (1993). Playing politics: Soviet sport diplomacy to 1992. JAI Press. p. 19. ISBN 9781559385251. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  4. Shapshnikoff, Yuri; Drapkin, A. (20 August 2012). The Mystery of the Iron Samson: The Life and Training of Strongman Alexander Zass. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781478393276. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  5. Zass, Alexander (21 October 2011). The Amazing Samson. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781466457843.
  6. Kent, Graeme (3 October 2012). The Strongest Men on Earth: When the Muscle Men Ruled Show Business. Biteback Publishing. ISBN 9781849544894.
  7. Kilgarriff, Michael (1998). Grace, Beauty & Banjos. Oberon. ISBN 9781840021165. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  8. Beumers, Birgit (1 January 2005). Pop Culture Russia!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. ABC-CLIO. p. 281. ISBN 9781851094592. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  9. Marshall, Brenda (1978). The Body Book. Chartwell Books. ISBN 0890091668.
  10. Weaver, Gabrielle (1975). The Complete Head to Toe Exercise Book: Get Fitter, Feel Better. Cavendish. ISBN 9780856850912. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  11. Zass, Alexander; Pullum, William Albert (1926). The Amazing Samson: as Told by Himself. With a Foreword by W. A. Pullum. [With Plates.]. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. Gordon, Dee (26 December 2010). Little Book of Essex. The History Press. ISBN 9780752462639. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  13. "Find a Grave". FindAGrave. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. England and Wales, National Probate Calendar 1962
  15. Riordan, James (30 June 1980). Sport in Soviet Society: Development of Sport and Physical Education in Russia and the USSR. CUP Archive. p. 17. ISBN 9780521280235. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  16. Willoughby, David P. (1970). The Super-Athletes. A. S. Barnes, Incorporated. ISBN 9780498066511. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
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