Georg Lurich circa 1895

Georg Lurich (1876 - 1920) was a prominent Estonian Greco-Roman and free-style wrestler of the early 20th century. Image File history File links Estonian wrestler Georg Lurich photograph circa 1905. ... Image File history File links Estonian wrestler Georg Lurich photograph circa 1905. ... 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ...

Born on April 22, 1876 in Väike-Maarja, Estonia, Lurich began participating in sporting activities at an early age. From 1895 to 1920 Lurich performed in wresling matches throughout the Russian Empire and Europe. He also performed in free-style matches in the United States of America between 1913 and 1917. Lurich cemented his name in the US by defeating American world wrestling champion and title holder Frank Gotchi in 1913. April 22 is the 112th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (113th in leap years). ... 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... 1913 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1895 Lurich became first Estonian to set world weightlifting records. The Estonian public eagerly attended his matches and Lurich's popularity in his homeland soared. From 1897 to 1898 Lurich toured Estonia and his successes helped popularize athletics in Estonia and dozens of athletic clubs were established. 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Lurich's popularity in Estonia also helped galvanize the move toward Estonian independence and instilled a sense of nationalist pride among the people. Estonia was at that time occupied by tsarist Russia, and many higher ranking Estonian officials and intellectuals touted Lurich's accomplishments as proof of the "unbreakable Estonian spirit". Росси́йская Импе́рия, (also Imperial Russia) covers the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great into the Russian Empire stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposition of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start of the Russian Revolution...

Georg Lurich in a circa 1900 - 1905 postcard posed to show his incredible physique.

Following Georg Lurich's untimely death on January 20, 1920, many Estonians began embellishing his accomplishments with such voracity that Lurich's legend began taking on an almost mythological light. Folk tales abounded in rural Estonia and continue to years after Lurich's death. The following excerpt is an example of a Georg Lurich folk tale that has become popular amongst residents of Väike-Maarja, Estonia and was transcribed by Estonian author Kalle Voolaid: Image File history File links Estonian wrestler Georg Lurich photograph/postcard circa 1900. ... Image File history File links Estonian wrestler Georg Lurich photograph/postcard circa 1900. ... January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ...

"One hot and sunny summer day Lurich had been sitting on a hill slope in Väike-Maarja and when the heat was becoming too much for him, he ran down into the valley to freshen himself up with cool spring water. While running he hit his foot against a rock and fell on all fours on the stone. Then he stood up, went to the spring, put his feet and hands in the spring and washed with spring water. That is where he got the great strength, he had taken that rock against which he had hit his foot, and played with it as if it were a potato. That rock is said to be still there on the edge of Väike-Maarja memorial hill, covered with moss."

So impressive to his countrymen, Lurich remains one of the most beloved figures in Estonia to this day. Large tour groups now visit Lurich's grave in Väike-Maarja.

References

Kodavere pajatused by Mall Hiiemäe (1978) Tallinn: Eesti Raamat. 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ...

Eesti raskejõustiku ajaloost by Georg Kristjanson (1973) Tallinn: Eesti Raamat. 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ...

Lurich Ameerikas by Voldemar Veedam (1981) Toronto: Oma Press Ltd. 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External Links

The phenomenon of an athlete - Georg Lurich from a historical figure to the hero of folk tales