George Hackenschmidt

Georg Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (Russian: Георгий Георгиевич Гаккеншми́дт, romanized: Georgiy Georgiyevich Gakkenshmídt; 1 August 1877 – 19 February 1968), known in English-language publications as George Hackenschmidt, was an Estonian strongman, amateur and professional wrestler, writer, and sports philosopher. He is recognized as professional wrestling's first world heavyweight champion. Hackenschmidt was the only professional wrestling champion who is not known to have taken part in fixed matches, which were pervasive even in his day. Hackenschmidt began his professional career in Tallinn (Reval), Estonia (then part of the Russian Empire), and after an 1899 tournament in Paris was often referred in the media by the moniker "The Russian Lion". He lived most of his middle age and later life in London, England, becoming a British subject after the Second World War. He 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; additionally, Hackenschmidt is also attributed as the creator of the bench press. He was known for his impressive strength, fitness, and flexibility. Later in life, he wrote many books on physical culture, training and philosophy.