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.