Arlecchino
07-15-2007, 07:08 AM
John Davis
John Henry Davis (1921 - 1984)
Born: Smithtown, NY
Named after the John Henry of legend, Mr. Davis went on to successfully represent the US at the world level for 15 years. This, despite the fact that his lifting career was interrupted by WWII, where he not only served, but was quite ill for a time following a bought with jaundice. This is just one of the many amazing things about this great athlete.
He reportedly pressed 170 lbs. the first time he ever attempted the lift, and after a few months training, totaled about 600 in competition. He then went on to win at the Jr. Nationals, and at his first ever World Championships, won his class at the ripe old age of 17. His lifting career would span nearly two decades, and he went undefeated at the world level for fifteen years. Before his career was over, he had won two Olympic gold medals, seven World Championships, one Pan-American Championship, and had set 24 world records.
In addition to the difficulties he encountered secondary to his military service, John also had very small hands, so small, in fact, that he could not use a hook grip and all of his pulls were executed overhand style. And to make things even more challenging, he utilized a non-revolving barbell. For those of you who have never tried to OL with one of these, it is surprisingly little fun.
He is reported to have had some excellent numbers in the powerlifts, such as they were at the time, and as such has made Herb Glossbrenner's 'Supermen of the Century' listing, which displays the top 25 combined OL & PL rankings of all time. Davis is on the list for both the 198 and 220 lbs. class. His training in squatting, pressing and pulling, as well as his natural strength, had that much carry-over into other movements. Furthermore, all of his OL's were executed with a split-style clean.
John then went on to Clean and Jerk the Apollon Wheels. A 366lbs. train axle 1.93 inches in diameter. He had to use a mixed grip to make the clean, then quickly switched hands and nailed the jerk. This is after three failed public attempts:
Apollon Wheels (http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/e_movie_theater.asp?vclip=34)
A listing of John's victories and records:
15 years on top of the world (http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/l_athleteResult.asp?a_id=47)
"There is no secret to training on the press--or any other lift, for that matter. It merely requires a little patience, a little imagination, and a good deal of sweat (above all else) with as heavy a weight as you can handle." - John Davis
By the way, if anyone is not familiar with the story of the legendary John Henry, (http://www.ibiblio.org/john_henry/story1.html) shame on you.
:)
John Henry Davis (1921 - 1984)
Born: Smithtown, NY
Named after the John Henry of legend, Mr. Davis went on to successfully represent the US at the world level for 15 years. This, despite the fact that his lifting career was interrupted by WWII, where he not only served, but was quite ill for a time following a bought with jaundice. This is just one of the many amazing things about this great athlete.
He reportedly pressed 170 lbs. the first time he ever attempted the lift, and after a few months training, totaled about 600 in competition. He then went on to win at the Jr. Nationals, and at his first ever World Championships, won his class at the ripe old age of 17. His lifting career would span nearly two decades, and he went undefeated at the world level for fifteen years. Before his career was over, he had won two Olympic gold medals, seven World Championships, one Pan-American Championship, and had set 24 world records.
In addition to the difficulties he encountered secondary to his military service, John also had very small hands, so small, in fact, that he could not use a hook grip and all of his pulls were executed overhand style. And to make things even more challenging, he utilized a non-revolving barbell. For those of you who have never tried to OL with one of these, it is surprisingly little fun.
He is reported to have had some excellent numbers in the powerlifts, such as they were at the time, and as such has made Herb Glossbrenner's 'Supermen of the Century' listing, which displays the top 25 combined OL & PL rankings of all time. Davis is on the list for both the 198 and 220 lbs. class. His training in squatting, pressing and pulling, as well as his natural strength, had that much carry-over into other movements. Furthermore, all of his OL's were executed with a split-style clean.
John then went on to Clean and Jerk the Apollon Wheels. A 366lbs. train axle 1.93 inches in diameter. He had to use a mixed grip to make the clean, then quickly switched hands and nailed the jerk. This is after three failed public attempts:
Apollon Wheels (http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/e_movie_theater.asp?vclip=34)
A listing of John's victories and records:
15 years on top of the world (http://www.chidlovski.net/liftup/l_athleteResult.asp?a_id=47)
"There is no secret to training on the press--or any other lift, for that matter. It merely requires a little patience, a little imagination, and a good deal of sweat (above all else) with as heavy a weight as you can handle." - John Davis
By the way, if anyone is not familiar with the story of the legendary John Henry, (http://www.ibiblio.org/john_henry/story1.html) shame on you.
:)