Hermann Goerner was a famous German strongman who lived from 1891-1956. Unlike, the proverbial 97-pound weakling, Hermann was strong and robust as a youth. He often would pose for painters and sculptors as a way of making extra money. Despite being injured in WWI and losing an eye, Hermann continued to grow and develop until he has roughly 6ft 1 in in height and weighed in at around 290 pounds. These were colossal proportions for the times.
As was standard practice at the time, Hermann toured the world with his wife putting on exhibitions that showcased his immense strength and routinely challenging all comers to replicate his feats. His grip in particular was unrivaled.
Some of his best lifts include:
790 lb Deadlift with an overhand hook grip
840 lb Deadlift with a mixed grip
730 lb one hand Deadlift
391 lb Clean and Press
330 lb Clean and Press with 2 3/8 in bar diameter
230 lb One Hand Snatch
4,124 leg press/support of 24 men on a plank
Naturally, as part of his act, he even wrestled with baby elephants. Injuries and WW2 ultimately put an end to Hermannās lifting and his performances. After this he became an elder statesman of strength, delighting the many visitors who frequented his tiny apartment with stories of his glory days and legendary strength. Hermann was the embodiment of his nickname, The Mighty !!!