BLIND FAITH
By Peter Vuono

     Some of my best memories from my youth stem from the Brockton, Ma. YMCA. It was here that I took the knowledge I learned from Muscular Development, Iron Man and Strength and Health and applied it in becoming a powerlifter. I enjoyed both the thrill of becoming stronger and the many friendships I made.Harvey Perala took me under his wing and he has been both my coach and sensei for over 40 years. Another friendship I fortuitously made was with John Cronin. John was so sincere and friendly that it was an easy thing to do in becoming his friend. John, like my future friend, Teddy Arcidi, was a "boss of the bench". We all marveled at his bench press which was in the mid 300's . In the 1960's it would have been nationally ranked.
     John and I each went our own path but I had heard from time to time that he was doing well and together with his wife, Alice, raised a wonderful family of 4 children. He also served a dedicated and precarious career as a firefighter and retired unscathed. John and I found a road that led us back to each other and we've been training together each Sunday for the past two years.
    Even now, at age 65, he raises eyebrows of friend Tom Kenney and all others who may catch him effortlessly bench pressing a pair of 65 lb. dumbells for an easy 15 reps. This, at 65, is a feat in itself but what is more extraordinary is that John is doing it while blind.
     A few years after his retirement, John ruptured his esophagus. This, by no means is a minor medical occurrence. In fact, it's the same injury that took from us, pro football player/wrestler- tough guy Dick the Bruiser. While undergoing surgery, John incurred a stroke. By the time he came out of the stroke, not enough blood was allowed into the optic nerve, thus leaving him blind.
     This however, only served to show the rest of us the magnitude of John's inner strength. He is always jocular and willing to either tell or listen to a joke. He cares about his friends and what they have to say and his physical strength still arouses my competetive spirit.
     Back in the 70's one of my favorite songs was a little known tune by John Dawson Read entitled "A Friend of Mine is Going Blind". Every time I now listen to it, I think of John. One verse reads,"A friend of mine is going blind but through the dimness, he sees so much better than me. And how he cherishes each new thing he sees; they are locked in his head. He will save them for when he's in darkness again"
     This is the John I know. He's taught me that in spite of any medical issue I have, that I shouldn't sulk and feel sorry for myself but rather take  the new challenge head on and do something positive with it. He's shown me that ill health doesn't mean that life ends; it just changes. More than any other man, he's strengthened my blind faith.

DEATH, DIGNITY AND GRACE
By Peter Vuono


     In August of 1966 I saw my first wrestling match at age thirteen at the Ridge Arena in Braintree Ma. The main event was Bruno Sammartino vs. Angelo Savoldi. Savoldi was not originally scheduled for the main event but filled in due to an airplane strike. Savoldi worked well with Sammartino and thrilled the crowd. I was hooked on wrestling and enjoyed seeing Savoldi wrestle many times on TV from the famed National Arena in Washington DC.
    Angelo Savoldi was born Mario Fornini and came to America in 1919 from Castrocielo, Italy. In 1935 he became a pro wrestler and was given the ring name of Angelo Savoldi from famed New York promoter, Jack Pfefer. Angelo mainly wrestled on the undercard and retired from the ring in1968 whereupon he became a road manager for the WWWF.
   Angelo, later, in 1984 put together a very successful wrestling independent called International Championship Wrestling with his sons. A great deal of wrestling talent entertained in this league such as Joe Savoldi, Dusty Wolfe, Kenny Timbs, Ox Baker, Black Jack Mulligan, Kevin Sullivan and Mark Lewin.
   I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Savoldi twice and the thing I remember most was his graciousness, kindness and humility. A kid never forgets how he's treated when he gets to meet one of his heroes.
   Sadly on Sept. 20, 2013, Angelo Savoldi passed away at age 99. It is a shame that Angelo did not attain the same status as someone like Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair because the manner in which he conducted his life spoke volumes. Unlike so many wrestlers and so many athletes from other sports, Savoldi lived his life with the utmost of integrity. He never abused drugs, alcohol or steroids. He was never involved in domestic disputes nor was he ever on the wrong side of the law. Rather he was a devoted husband to the same woman(Mary) for 74 years and a loving father to 4 wonderful children.
   In martial arts Angelo would have been called a"Shidoshi". Interpreted from the Japanese, it means "Teacher of the Way".  His life was  a message of great dignity. A message that every young person needs to hear.

JACK WALSH- LIONHEART

A version of this story appeared in the Journal of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen in 2006.

JACK WALSH-  LIONHEART
By Peter Vuono

     One of the most beloved facets of Americana is the circus. And certainly, one of the most thrilling and inspirational moments of the circus to a young boy is the strongman act which is seen infrequently in today's day and age. Sadly, Jack Walsh, one of the last of the old time circus strongmen, passed away on June 11, 2006. Jack was born on February 20. 1930 and began lifting weights at age 11. At age 12 he joined the Trenton NJ YMCA. Jack idolized old time strength performers such as Louis Cyr and Warren Lincoln Travis. He immediately gravitated toward the back lift as his two idols had done. When Jack backlifted the maximum weight that the Trenton Y leg press machine could hold(850 lbs.) his dad rented a garage and constructed a backlift apparatus out of boards and oil drums. It was here that a strength legend would be born.
     When Jack was 16 years old, he backlifted 3,000lbs! At 18, the 185lb. Walsh was paid $250 to back lift every pro wrestler on a local card that evening.. It was here in 1948 that Jack turned pro and on March 10, 1950, Jack backlifted a 2700lb. elephant at the Hunt Brothers Circus in Trenton. He then allowed the pachyderm to walk across a platform laid over Walsh's prone body! This great feat  lead to a photo on the front page of the New York Daily News.
   The photo lead Jack to numerous engagements on the TV shows of Ed Sullivan, Arlene Francis and Ernie Kovacs. His daring exploits included becoming a human chain link in holding back two cars, one strapped to either arm, balancing a 295lb. barbell on his head, withstanding several stomach blows from legendary pugislist, Sonny Liston and wrestling a 750lb. bull in Mexico.
   His extraordinary feats(all done at 185 lbs.) still remain virtually untouched. Here are a few.: Backlift-4,638lbs. done on July 7, 1950(second only to Paul Anderson!), Hand and thigh lift- 1,900, One finger lift- using a dumbell attached to a chain and iron ring- 732lbs., Two finger lift( a partial deadlift done in the same style as the one finger lift) 1,000lbs.
    Walsh could also climb a ladder with an 800lb. horse strapped to him. He could do a partial leg press using the front end of a 3,000lb. Cadillac. He could also carry a 1,000lb. barrel 60 feet. Jack could pull a box car while holding onto an iron ring with one finger and allow an 8 ton armored truck to sit on his stomach for 23 seconds. He could also hold back a DC-3 airplane from taking off at an airport.
     In 2004 Walsh sustained serious medical complications after he was attacked by a man who attempted to rob him in New Orleans.  Although he successfully fought off the attacker, he shortly after incurred a stroke and slipped into a brief coma. Jack spent his final days at St. Anthony's rehab. center in Metairie, Louisiana.
    It is disheartening to know of the circumstances which lead to Jack Walsh's death and it is unfortunate that at age 77 his strength waned to a point where his health would not return. However, it is equally gratifying to know that the lionheart that really made Jack Walsh the man that he was valiantly roared to the very end.

"These are the heroes of the days gone by, the famous men"- Genesis 6:4

This author would like to acknowledge the writings of historians David P. Willoughby and Fred Howell without whom this memorial could not have been written.

A PRAYER FOR THE 155
By Peter Vuono

     For 36 years I have taught Special Needs kids in one setting or another. In 1976, my first assignment was in Pelham NH High School. I then did a 34 year hitch at Brockton, Ma. High School and most recently, a year and 3 months teaching elementary aged autistic kids gym. I'm glad that I chose to work with the least of God's brethren because as Mother Teresa once said, "the proof of love is service". If I was ever effective at all in both teaching and inspiring, only my students and God can judge. None of it  would have happened however, if I were not first inspired by a pro wrestler.
    In the late 50's I was inspired by George Reeves(Superman) and Steve Reeves(Hercules) like so many other boys my age. I knew that I wanted to become strong like my heroes but I didn't know how; I was only 6 years old. Years went by and in Oct. 1966, I was sitting on my bed reading Wrestling Revue Magazine. The WWWF had a large bodybuilder whose real name was Ernest Bemis wrestle under the stage name of Mr. Kleen. Like Bruno, Bemis was big and muscular. As I read an article about Bemis, he was quoted as saying,"Every boy should have a good set of weights". That was all I needed to hear and I finally knew what the  answer to the equation of strength truly was!
     For 2 and a half years, I lifted alone in my bedroom with a vinyl covered set that my parents bought for me. I was afraid to lift in front of anyone at the local YMCA for fear of being ridiculed. Finally, when I had enough self esteem to do so, and through the influences of Muscular Development Magazine and Iron Man, I dogged the powerlifts.
    My first contest was in Jan. of 1973 in Nashua. I came in 2nd to last. I made some good gains and by the spring time I increased my total nearly by 100lbs. In 1974 I came in second in the Eastern States Powerlifting Championships put on by Joe Zarella in Nashua. I never forgot the feeling I had taking my first
trophy off Joe's hands.
     I graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1976 and had many job interviews; all of which lead to a dead end. Then in August of 76, I sat in the office of Supt. Henry LaBranche of Pelham and the Principal of Pelham High School, Mr. Paul Phinney. They were very kind and congenial but what seemed to interest and impress them the most were  my endeavors in Powerlifting. They truly thought that I'd be a good role model for the kids and to my amazement, hired me on the spot!!!
   A miasma of good things continued to occur. I did the thing I loved. I met my future wife and met so many wonderful friends in Nashua. I taught and made laugh literally hundreds of Special Kids and again, if anything positive did come of this it stemmed from a  quote of a pro wrestler. Surely, if they inspired this author than they must have inspired countless others.
   Since 1985, 155 pro wrestlers have passed away who were younger than 65. Of these 86 of them were younger than 50. Heart disease is the biggest offender but nearly 12% are due to suicides.The highest mortality rate in all of pro sports belongs to the men and women who have inspired this author. I would like it to stop and I'm sure that if the following prayer is said by all those touched by the sport that God will share his strength and protection with all titans of the squared circle.

A WRESTLER'S PRAYER- By Peter vuono

     Oh Saint Sebastian, martyr, and patron saint of all athletes,
stand by those who wear the shoes of Jacob who wrestled with an angel.
Protect them when they risk life and limb to feed their families
Comfort them in the many hours that they spend away from loved ones,
and above all, let them not abandon Jesus Christ who wrestled with his
conscience in his last moments on the cross. For we ask this in his name
amen.

 DR.CINDY WYATT REINHOUDT - DARING TO BE FIRST

    There isn't a facet of society that women have not excelled in. This, of course, is due, in part to their natural born abilities  and to the fact that women were championed by a pathfinder and pioneer who showed them the way. For it was Cindy who inspired women's rights activist Joe Zarella to commandeer powerlifting meets for women only in 1977 which were the first of their kind anywhere.
    This, in turn, lead to women's bodybuilding and Olympic lifting. Once women realized that they had a power within, they excelled in every area of society as well as if not better than men. Cindy showed them the way. It is she who ran with the baton handed down from Susan B. Anthony and it is she who we all have to thank. This is her story which first appeared in Powerlifting USA Magazine in June of 1985.


DR. CINDY WYATT REINHOUDT -DARING TO BE FIRST
By Peter Vuono

     Before proponents of women's strength sports proved to the world that lifting weights was not just exclusive to men, powerlifting was indeed a"man's sport". No one dared to break this precedent until a young lady from the state of New York began to make headlines in Strength and Health Magazine in the track and field world. The young athlete was Cindy Wyatt. While attending college at the University of Hawaii, Cindy trained under the auspices of two time Olympic Gold Medal winning weightlifter,Tommy Kono and registered an official shot put of 48'6'. in 1962. Also while attending the university, Cindy was seen in the pages of Strength and Health cleaning and jerking 230; all in 1962! Her weight training focused on increasing the distance of her shot put but when Cindy later attended classes at the University of Buffalo, she would put her enormous strength to a different task which would change the course of history.
     On Saturday, March 20, 1965 at the Rite-Form Health Studio in Kenmore New York, Cindy competed in the 2nd annual Self Improvement Power Meet. This would be the first time that a woman would compete in a weightlifting contest of any kind anywhere in the world.
     Weighing approximately 155, Cindy officially bench pressed 160, squatted 235 and deadlifted 315 for a 710 total. The crashing of her 315 deadlift, in so many ways was as profound as the ringing of the Liberty Bell.This success spurred Cindy to achieving further victories in her newly chosen sport.
     In 1977, in Nashua New Hampshire at the Prospect St. YMCA, Cindy competed in the first ever National Powerlfiting Meet for Women with her husband, World's Strongest Man winner, Don Reinhoudt at her side for moral support.Here cindy won her class and the Best Lifter trophy with a squat of 360, a bench press of 210 and a deadlift of 375 for a 975 total as a middleweight.
     The following year in Nashua, Cindy competed in the Nationals again which consisted of over 100 female lifters and a contingent from Australia! Here, as a middleweight, Cindy squatted 385, bench pressed 205 and deadlifted 385 for a total of 975 which garnered for her a victory in the middleweight division and best lifter of the entire meet!
     This victory marked the retirement of an incredible athlete whose courage matches her strength. Author Tony Fitton once quoted Eugene Ware in saying"All glory goes to those who dare to begin". Dr. Cindy Wyatt Reinhoudt is the recipient of that glory . A victory not just for her but for all womankind.
  

DO NOT READ IF YOU'RE SUPERMAN!

By Peter Vuono

   Last week, I visited my old friend, Paul Dallalis  in the hospital. Paul is a giant of both kindness and strength at 6'5" and nearly 300lbs. Paul was a champion  from the beginning winning the teenage national Olympic lifting championships in Willamantic CT in 1979. While still training, Paul channeled his mind and body to  his fellow man as a respiratory therapist in at least two well known Boston hospitals.
   Paul and I spent a lot of time together doing the things we loved; lifting weights, going to powerlfiting contests and working security at our secret passion, pro wrestling. Paul was always  a gentleman- never flaunting his gift and always upbeat in times of difficulty.
   Paul is fighting leukemia. In addition to this, he has spent months withstanding painful skin grafts to his leg from injuries he sustained from major lacerations in a household accident.All in the matter of a few years, I saw my beloved friend who was the picture of strength fall from Olympus.I used to have a poster in my classroom that read"Strength on the outside comes only after strength on the inside." I soon realized that the unknown author must have met Paul.
   Every time I visited him or talked to him on the phone, Paul was always jocular, supportive of my needs and upbeat.He always said that life is an interesting journey when mere mortals like me would have thought of his plight as a living hell. Yet every time I leave his room, I feel inspired and strengthened through Paul's attitude and I realized that Paul had never fallen from Olympus at all; he ascended even higher.
   One of my favorite movies is the anti-bullying movie Angus(1995). In the picture George C. Scott speaks to actor Charlie Talbert who plays Scott's grandson. Every time I watch the scene I think about the amazing inner strength of my friend.
   In the film, grandpa tries to comfort his grandson who is being bullied. He says,"Superman isn't brave. You don't understand. He's smart, handsome and even descent. But he's indestructible; and you can't be brave if you're indestructible. It's people like you and your mother; people who are different and can be crushed and know it. Yet , they keep on going out there every time".
   Paul continues to go out there every time- not just healing but inspiring and motivating. The kind of superman that I have been so proud and fortunate to know. The kind that others who are suffering need to hear about  A man for whom there IS NO Kryptonite.

CHUCK AHRENS-  Strength Through Humility

A different version of this story appeared in Powerlifting USA Magazine approx. in March of 1983.

     On Dec. 30, 2009 Chuck Ahrens, one of the most notable of modern day American strongmen, passed
away. Strength devotees well remember his prodigious strength. I too remember the absolutely stunning pictures in Iron Man Magazine showing  a man who appeared to be wearing shoulder pads but in reality, did not. However, what was equally impressive to me was Chuck's modesty. Never did he boast or brag about his gift.It made several friends of mine immediately come to mind who were a kindred spirit to Chuck- both strong and humble. I contemplated my friends Steve Sanderson of Plymouth, Steve Monas and Dave Hartnet of NH and my pals Paul Dallalis, Frankie Ciavattone and Jeff Ciavattone of Norwood..
     Finally, I thought of my teenage friend, Joey Previte. When Joey was born, circumstances arose where Joey's parents were fearful that his health would be in jeopardy.. By the grace of God, the opposite occured and Joey became a prodigy of strength. At 250lbs., he became a superb lineman garnering all scholastic honors in 3 Massachusetts newspapers.He bench pressed 405 for a double and squatted and deadlifted 500lbs. all before reaching the age of 19!
    Like Chuck Ahrens, Joey is the epitome of strength and humbleness. He and Chuck would have made perfect training partners given another time and place and I dedicate this story to Joey.

CHUCK AHRENS- Strength Through Humility.
By Peter Vuono
     In the early days of powerlifting, back in the 1950's there was established in Santa Monica California an outdoor gymnasium known as the Muscle Beach Weightlifting Club. This gym was enclosed by a wooden fence and was equipped with a wide variety of weights and machines. It was here at this Mecca of muscle that many of powerlifting's pioneers congregated. One of the largest and strongest of these behemoths was Chuck Ahrens. Chuck was known as weightlifting's "Mystery Man", because he was of a quiet reserved nature and refused to take off his shirt to pose for cameras. Only in one rare photo taken for Muscular Developement Magazine, did Chuck roll up his sleeve. When walking along the shores of Muscle Beach, he must have resembled one of the huge saurians that may have roamed there in the Mesozoic.
     Chuck stood 6' and weighed 330 lbs., most of which was distributed in his upper body. He had a normal, non-expanded chest measurement of 58 inches. His shoulders were 28 inches wide and his arms measured 22 and three eighths in circumference!
     Ahrens specialized in odd lifts. His favorites were the one arm dumbbell strict press, the two arm dumbbell press and the triceps extension. Chuck was able to press with one arm 310 lbs. for 3 repetitions! He also performed 235lbs. for 5 consecutive repetitions  standing with a dumbbell in each hand! While seated, with his back up against an incline board set at 90 degrees, Chuck pressed two 225lb. dumbells for 5 reps!
     In the lying triceps extension, Chuck's style was to hold the bar overhead, lower it behind and below the head and then extend it up overhead. In 1956, Chuck performed a single in this movement with 400lbs.!
     Such work on the dumbbell presses and triceps extensions gave Chuck tremendous power in the behind the neck press and the bench press. In the behind the neck press standing, Chuck performed 390 lbs. without specialization. In the bench press, he performed and incredible 28 reps with 400lbs.!!
     Unfortunately, Chuck's quiet and humble disposition,kept him away from actual competition.
According to the office of Unclaimed Persons of the Los Angeles  County Dept. of the Coroner, the body of Charles Henry Ahrens who lived on Ocean Park in his beloved Santa Monica was unclaimed by family, friends or acquaintances at age 76.
     At first, I felt terrible that Chuck died alone and it almost brought me to tears knowing that this man who inspired so many was unclaimed at death. However, in truth, God claimed his humble soul and his memory still beats in the hearts of all those he inspired. In this way, his essence was claimed by all.


"A wise man walks with his head bowed; humble like the dust".- Shaolin saying