(1863-1912)

The "amazing Canadian," who never backed down from a challenge and was undefeated in Canada and abroad, remains a legend to this day. It began in his teens when Cyr, who inherited his strength from his mother, allegedly pulled a loaded farm wagon out of the mud by lifting it on his back. In 1895, he again used his back to lift 4337 pounds, perhaps his greatest feat.

Cyr’s fame was earned before accurate records were kept, and before weight lifting was included among Olympic events. According to author Ben Weider, Cyr’s records remain uncontested and incontestable (The Strongest Man in History: Louis Cyr, 1976, p. 94).