POLYDAMAS- Successor to Hercules
By Peter Vuono
Certainly one of the fastest growing sports worldwide is mixed martial arts(MMA).
Companies such as the UFC, Bellator and Pride are household names as are many of the
combatants that fight in these leagues. What many MMA fans don't know, however, is that MMA is nothing new and appeared in the ancient Olympic games approximately 648 BC. The sport was known at that time as Pankratium and it consisted of boxing, wrestling, throws, trips, arm locks and chokes. The only things that were not allowed were eye gouging and biting.
One of the finest and best known Pankratiasts was Theagenes of Thasos who won the Pankratium in 476BC. He also won the boxing edition of the Olympics in 480BC. Theagenes was victorious in 2102 matches in which 1800 of his opponents died!
Although is seems that Theagenes had the greatest record of wins, the title of the strongest Pankratiast had to have gone to the mighty Polydamas whose name in Greek means "many demons".Polydamas of Satoussa was a physical giant of 6'8" and weighed a solid 300lbs. It was said that his strength was so tremendous that he could prevent a horse drawn chariot from moving from the spot from which it started.
Polydamas was strictly a Pankratiast and won the event in the 93rd ancient Greek Olympics of 408BC.
Pankratium is interpreted as meaning "all powers" and Polydamas certainly possessed those attributes.
One of his greatest desires was to become like his ancient hero Hercules. It is said that Hercules killed the Nemean Lion with a Pankratium maneuver known as the forearm choke. Knowing this, Polydamas stalked and killed a lion with his bare hands! Since the existence of Hercules has not been fully proven and since Samson possessed God given help, Polydamas was the ONLY human on record to kill a lion without a weapon!
Many devotees of ancient warfare know well the Battle of Thermopyle where King Leonidas and the Spartan 300 were overtaken by the Persian King Xerxes. Xerxes' father was King Darius I
When Darius heard the story of Polydamas and the lion he invited Polydamas to meet with him. Darius persuaded Polydamas to take on one of the Immortals which was the elite fighting unit of the Persian army. When the battle took place, Darius brought out 3 armed Immortals rather than the agreed upon one. In just a short time, Polydamas killed all three.
Polydamas' last feat of strength was also one of intense bravery. One summer, he and his friends attempted to shade themselves from the summer heat by going deeply into a cave. After a short while, a cave -in developed and the rocks began to hurl themselves down. Polydamas, stood and held up the ceiling of the cave just long enough for his friends to escape. However, his strength, great as it was, was not enough to save himself.
Some historians claim that Polydamas was killed because of overconfidence. This author would like to believe that the instinct of the great Pankratiast was directed toward saving his friends without any regard for his own safety. Polydamas always wanted to be like Hercules. This final act of strength and heroism truly made him the successor to the ancient Greek hero.
"No greater love is there than when a man lay down his life for his friends"- John 15:13
Reference- David P. Willoughby- Iron Man Magazine -April-May 1956
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
BRUNO SAMMARTINO
This article first appeared in the Commemorative issue number XVI of Red, White and Green- the official journal of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago
BRUNO SAMMARTINO
By Peter Vuono
In the late 1930's and early 1940's, several towns and hamlets in Italy were ravaged by the specter of famine which hung over each village like a vulture awaiting it's prey. The tiny village of Pizzeferrato in the Province of Chietti, was no exception. Alfonso and Emily Sammartino realized that in order to save their three children and themselves from starvation, it was necessary to flee to a land in which food and proper nutrition were more plentiful. If they did not, it would only be a matter of time before their youngest son, Bruno would be overtaken by malnutrition., Their emigration would foster a sports legend.
The Sammartinos arrived in Pittsburgh and once their son, Bruno, was nursed back to health he secured a job as a carpenter and mason. In addition to this, he took up bodybuilding to further enhance his rate of recovery. By the time he was 14, he acquired a superbly built and defined physique. However, what started out to be a remedial technique to develop health and strength became a hobby which Bruno enjoyed immensely. He continued to train with weights and increased the poundages when he could. A metamorphosis took place where Bruno's chiseled physique grew to massive proportions. With the size came strength and in 1959 he displayed a feat of strength publically which few men could match.
The 22 year old behemoth grew to a height of 5'10" and weighed a solid 260lbs.. During the spring of 1959, at the York Barbell Company's annual picnic and strength show in Dover, PA., Bruno nonchalantly stepped up on stage and bench pressed 475 lbs. with a collar to collar grip. To this author's knowledge, this feat , at the time, had only been duplicated by Doug Hepburn(the Canadian Olympic Champion), Paul Anderson(American Olympic Gold medal winner) and American strong man, Marvin Eder. Bruno, therefore, placed himself in the forefront of the strength world and had become part of an elite group of gifted individuals. His strength endeavors, however, did not end there.
Bruno later became the Pennsylvania State Olympic lifting champion with lifts of a 365 press, 290 snatch and a clean and jerk of 390. He then dieted down and to a trim 223 and won the Mr. Pennsylvania Physique title. Bruno enjoyed being a strongman, however, and once again climbed in weight and strength. He again attained a bodyweight of 260lbs. and got to a point where he could bench press 545 lbs. while lying flat on the floor, squat 665lbs., and deadlift 705. He could also perform a strict curl in military fashion of 235lbs. Sammartino was, at the time one of the strongest, if not THE strongest man in the world. This gift would soon be put to the test.
One day while Bruno was working on a building that would help make him famous(the Pittsburgh Arena) he was "discovered" by legendary wrestling promoter, Rudy Miller. Miller was in awe of what stood before him. It didn't take Miller long to convince young Bruno that he more than possessed the raw materials to be a champion wrestler, nor did it take Sammartino long to prove Miller's theory correct.
Bruno easily vanquished every foe in sight to the point where he was ready to grapple the Worldwide Wrestling Federation champ, Buddy Rogers for the title. The handsome, perfectly conditioned Rogers did not attain the title by accident and many thought that Bruno would have his hands full with the champ who was the originator of the deadly figure-four leg lock.
The two mat titans would clash on May 17, 1963 at the old Madison Square Garden in front of a capacity crowd comprised of many of Bruno's compatriots who had come to see their hero. Rogers was always in good shape and ready for his matches but one must realize in retrospect that he was not only facing the massive hulk of a man alone. He was coming to grips with Sammartino's lifelong struggle and hardships. Rogers never had a chance. In just 47 seconds, the Italian strongman literally wiped the ring with Rogers, disposing the hapless champion in his famed back breaker, a hold that so many would fall prey to.
Bruno continued on a 7 year 7 month reign where he was called by publicity flyers as the "Greatest attraction in the history of Madison Square Garden". All in front of sell-out crowds, Sammartino wrestled and defeated some of professional wrestling's greatest names: Fred Blassie, Killer Kowalski, The Great Mortier, Waldo VonErich, Gene Kiniski, Tarzan Tyler, Gorilla Monsoon, Dr. Gerry Graham, Cowboy Bill Watts, Dr. Big bill MIller, The Giant Baba, Larry Henning, Don Leo Jonathan, John Tolos, Spiros Arion, George Steele and Superstar Billy Graham.
Unfortunately, after 7 years, on Jan. 18, 1971, Bruno was pinned by the Russian, Ivan Koloff. Undaunted, Bruno continued to wrestle and enjoy the same type of popularity that he had in the past. Koloff, was later defeated by Pedro Morales who was, in turn, defeated himself by Stan Stasiak, the master of the heart punch. This left the door open for Bruno to return and become the first two-time title winner in WWWF history.
Sammartino faced Stasiak on Dec. 10, 1973 and once again garnered the world title making him a true living sports legend. Bruno continued to wrestle a plethora of wrestling legends such as Stan Hansen, Ken Patera, Baron Fritz Von Raschke, and Frank"Bruiser" Brody. then, on May 30,1977, in Baltimore, against former football star, Superstar Billy Graham, Bruno lost his title. His fame however, did anything but wane. In the pre-cable days, Bruno drew 41,000 fans to Shea Stadium in his match with former protege, Larry Zbyscko. Altogether, Sammartino's two title reigns spanned 10 years, 11 months and 21 days. To this author's knowledge,this is one of the longest reigns(if not THE longest reign) for a world wrestling title in any league.
There will never be another Bruno Sammartino. In wrestling his name is synonymous with strength, dignity and fair play. His life is the epitome of the American dream and his memory will linger forever in the hearts of those that cheered his name.
This article first appeared in the Commemorative issue number XVI of Red, White and Green- the official journal of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago
BRUNO SAMMARTINO
By Peter Vuono
In the late 1930's and early 1940's, several towns and hamlets in Italy were ravaged by the specter of famine which hung over each village like a vulture awaiting it's prey. The tiny village of Pizzeferrato in the Province of Chietti, was no exception. Alfonso and Emily Sammartino realized that in order to save their three children and themselves from starvation, it was necessary to flee to a land in which food and proper nutrition were more plentiful. If they did not, it would only be a matter of time before their youngest son, Bruno would be overtaken by malnutrition., Their emigration would foster a sports legend.
The Sammartinos arrived in Pittsburgh and once their son, Bruno, was nursed back to health he secured a job as a carpenter and mason. In addition to this, he took up bodybuilding to further enhance his rate of recovery. By the time he was 14, he acquired a superbly built and defined physique. However, what started out to be a remedial technique to develop health and strength became a hobby which Bruno enjoyed immensely. He continued to train with weights and increased the poundages when he could. A metamorphosis took place where Bruno's chiseled physique grew to massive proportions. With the size came strength and in 1959 he displayed a feat of strength publically which few men could match.
The 22 year old behemoth grew to a height of 5'10" and weighed a solid 260lbs.. During the spring of 1959, at the York Barbell Company's annual picnic and strength show in Dover, PA., Bruno nonchalantly stepped up on stage and bench pressed 475 lbs. with a collar to collar grip. To this author's knowledge, this feat , at the time, had only been duplicated by Doug Hepburn(the Canadian Olympic Champion), Paul Anderson(American Olympic Gold medal winner) and American strong man, Marvin Eder. Bruno, therefore, placed himself in the forefront of the strength world and had become part of an elite group of gifted individuals. His strength endeavors, however, did not end there.
Bruno later became the Pennsylvania State Olympic lifting champion with lifts of a 365 press, 290 snatch and a clean and jerk of 390. He then dieted down and to a trim 223 and won the Mr. Pennsylvania Physique title. Bruno enjoyed being a strongman, however, and once again climbed in weight and strength. He again attained a bodyweight of 260lbs. and got to a point where he could bench press 545 lbs. while lying flat on the floor, squat 665lbs., and deadlift 705. He could also perform a strict curl in military fashion of 235lbs. Sammartino was, at the time one of the strongest, if not THE strongest man in the world. This gift would soon be put to the test.
One day while Bruno was working on a building that would help make him famous(the Pittsburgh Arena) he was "discovered" by legendary wrestling promoter, Rudy Miller. Miller was in awe of what stood before him. It didn't take Miller long to convince young Bruno that he more than possessed the raw materials to be a champion wrestler, nor did it take Sammartino long to prove Miller's theory correct.
Bruno easily vanquished every foe in sight to the point where he was ready to grapple the Worldwide Wrestling Federation champ, Buddy Rogers for the title. The handsome, perfectly conditioned Rogers did not attain the title by accident and many thought that Bruno would have his hands full with the champ who was the originator of the deadly figure-four leg lock.
The two mat titans would clash on May 17, 1963 at the old Madison Square Garden in front of a capacity crowd comprised of many of Bruno's compatriots who had come to see their hero. Rogers was always in good shape and ready for his matches but one must realize in retrospect that he was not only facing the massive hulk of a man alone. He was coming to grips with Sammartino's lifelong struggle and hardships. Rogers never had a chance. In just 47 seconds, the Italian strongman literally wiped the ring with Rogers, disposing the hapless champion in his famed back breaker, a hold that so many would fall prey to.
Bruno continued on a 7 year 7 month reign where he was called by publicity flyers as the "Greatest attraction in the history of Madison Square Garden". All in front of sell-out crowds, Sammartino wrestled and defeated some of professional wrestling's greatest names: Fred Blassie, Killer Kowalski, The Great Mortier, Waldo VonErich, Gene Kiniski, Tarzan Tyler, Gorilla Monsoon, Dr. Gerry Graham, Cowboy Bill Watts, Dr. Big bill MIller, The Giant Baba, Larry Henning, Don Leo Jonathan, John Tolos, Spiros Arion, George Steele and Superstar Billy Graham.
Unfortunately, after 7 years, on Jan. 18, 1971, Bruno was pinned by the Russian, Ivan Koloff. Undaunted, Bruno continued to wrestle and enjoy the same type of popularity that he had in the past. Koloff, was later defeated by Pedro Morales who was, in turn, defeated himself by Stan Stasiak, the master of the heart punch. This left the door open for Bruno to return and become the first two-time title winner in WWWF history.
Sammartino faced Stasiak on Dec. 10, 1973 and once again garnered the world title making him a true living sports legend. Bruno continued to wrestle a plethora of wrestling legends such as Stan Hansen, Ken Patera, Baron Fritz Von Raschke, and Frank"Bruiser" Brody. then, on May 30,1977, in Baltimore, against former football star, Superstar Billy Graham, Bruno lost his title. His fame however, did anything but wane. In the pre-cable days, Bruno drew 41,000 fans to Shea Stadium in his match with former protege, Larry Zbyscko. Altogether, Sammartino's two title reigns spanned 10 years, 11 months and 21 days. To this author's knowledge,this is one of the longest reigns(if not THE longest reign) for a world wrestling title in any league.
There will never be another Bruno Sammartino. In wrestling his name is synonymous with strength, dignity and fair play. His life is the epitome of the American dream and his memory will linger forever in the hearts of those that cheered his name.
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