The Strongest Man Who Ever Lived | The Bill Kazmaier Story
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- In our second instalment of our strongman biography series we're looking at the career of Bill kazmaier, the world powerlifting champion and the first man to win the world's strongest man title three times.
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11 X World's Strongest Man competitor
2016 Europe's Strongest Man
2016 Ultimate Strongman World Champion
2 X Britain's Strongest Man
2 X Winner of Strongman Champions League
2017 UK's Strongest Man,
British RAW Powerlifting record holder
2023 Britain's Strongest Master - Sport
He still holds the distinction as being the only man banned for being too strong. To me that's better than an additional title.
exactly, well said. arguably the strongest man that ever lived.
@EpictheEpicest, I agree. The powers to be had no answer for their decision!!
Wow crazy they did not invite him to defend his title.
He was banned for being a dick and not for being "too strong" lol. If he had better attitude he would be invited back.
@@MojKanal-cz1iz Yep, Kaz was extremely strong, but his A-hole attitude really turned everyone against him. A lot like how these days, people don't like Eddie Hall because he's an arrogant A-hole.
That 5 year absence was an absolute travesty for Strongman. I really think he would have had another two titles.
Depends why he wasn't invited. To put it diplomatically, he had a history of abrasive interactions. We probably won't know the real story for quite a while.
Wouldn’t travel outside America to compete, apparently
Probably 4 more
They banned him cause he was to dominate making everyone else look bad
Let's be real, 5 more.
No one was stronger than Bill Kazmaier.
They didn't invite him back because he dominated the whole strongman competition in all events for 3 years in row.
He would've won the next 3 or 4 years in a row too.
He was great.
what a legend and great announcer also
AGREED.
I think Pudzianowski was stronger
@@bogumicichowski5389 i dont know, maybe upper body but not total
Pudzianowski another great strongman... no question... it would be interesting to see them compete against each other, each in their prime..but unfortunately we'll never be able to see that.
I think it's like the other strongman champions said of Kazmaier as well.
Good thoughtful reply's gentlemen.
Thanks.
The man, the myth, the legend, Bill Kazmaier.
its a damn shame Big Kaz missed out on those WSM...he very could have won three more titles
he could have possibly won 6 or 7 total I think
I guess he would've won 2 more titles (I have had this discussion with other fans for over 15 years 😅) he was a beast, but the sport was specializing and big names were sprouting. Capes was at his primer, Sigmarsson was growing and just getting better, on the other hand Kaz wasn't getting any younger nor healthier. Also there were guys like Ab Wolders who could snatch some good points here and there. So yeah, Kaz definitely would've ruled the first half of the 80's, but the other half wasn't going to be the same (Kaz was very injury prone), just check what happened in Pure Strength.
@@emperomassinencambio...9941 I’m going to add one caveat so to speak, and that is that you have to take the results of the Pure Strength competition with a grain of salt. Now you may already know all this and if so just ignore this long comment lol
I’ve seen and heard numerous stories about how the organizers of Pure Strength did everything they could to make sure Kaz didn’t do well. Some of which came from Capes himself. If I can ever come across the video (if it’s still even a public video at this point) I will share it as I don’t remember everything they did but I do remember they played dirty with log press and the deadlift. They knew Kaz was not good with heights, and knew Jon Paul and Capes didn’t have the strength to beat Kaz unless they did something. So at the last minute they changed from having the log lift in the courtyard to having it up on top of one of the castle walls to try and throw Kaz off his game. And it worked. You can see how the heights were screwing with him on the video, and see how pissed off Bill was about it.
And the deadlift was to be on a traditional bar, and again they knew no one would beat Kaz on a deadlift without some tricky tactics. If I remember correctly the day of the deadlift they had claimed to have lost the bar or it had got damaged or something along those lines. So they used that really odd rectangular shaped bar. (Capes had even said that not only did he and Jon Pall knew they were going to change the bar a day or two in advance but they even got to practice with it behind closed doors so Bill didn’t see what was going on. Oh and the shape of that rectangular bar just so happened to be perfectly shaped to fit in JPs hands too.
Now I’m not sure Bill would have won that competition overall as he was very rusty with a lot of strongman events (was still a bit rusty at Bills first time back to WSM as well) but if they played fair it would have been close between JP and Bill with either one being able to win it.
@@emperomassinencambio...9941 Both the 1987 Pure Strength event and the 1988 WSM were rigged against Kaz. The organizers hated his guts. In both contests the organizers changed 2 events at the last minute to make it near impossible for him to win. The world record in weight over the bar was set by Bill Kazmaier in the 1987 Pure strength event. He beat Jon Pal easily.. so what did the WSM people do in 88? They put the same event not on flat ground, but on a god Dam boat dock with unstable footing and water to look at during the windup for the throws. Nobody did well, but Kaz had a weakness for heights and unsure footing. It had nothing to do with testing his strength.
Also -- in the Pure Strength event "log press" the organizers, at the last minute, put the log press on a castle wall instead of flat ground to take advantage of Kazmaier's fear of heights and poor balance. He had NEVER lost a log press even in his life, held multiple world records in it, and should not have lost that one.
In the 1988 WSM, there was also an event called the "sausage hold" where the referees conspired against him. First they told him to straighten his arms, which were already clearly straight, so he moved his hands in on the bar to get more extension, then when he did that to accommodate them, he was disqualified.
There are numerous other instances of the organizers having it out for him.. such as making the tug-o-war worth 2x points to force him to participate in it during the 81 contest.
So this is who they modeled Mr. Incredible after
Sue Kazmaer was Elasta-girl.. and they got BUSY!!!
From the waist up, maybe.......
The man that would outlift the strongest guys today 40 years ago
Well, not really. As much as I like Kaz, athletes these days are stronger. You can look into records of different events. Kaz is impressive and a legend of the sport.
@@swite989 but not the whole package..yes..hafthor had a better deadlift..but kazmaier..300kg bench..i know no recent strongman who is able to bench 300kg!
Didn’t he lift like 635 lb bench record? Today I’m pretty sure guys are benching between 700- 750 lbs or more
@@dan-ws2sf but there is no strongman who is stronger in every discipline. When you combine evey strongman, yes..stronger. But show me one strongman who benches 300kg.
@@dan-ws2sf 700 plus benches are still incredibly rare. No strongman has a 700 pound bench (most don't train for it anyway, so hard to say if anyone could). Eddie was a 300 plus kilo bencher.
I met Bill in the past and even worked out at his gym and I can tell you he was the nicest guy ever. Full of advice and easy to talk to.
Thank goodness! We'd all have been in trouble if he wasn't so nice.
@@youtubecensors5419 , yeah for some reason people mistake kindness for weakness, but for those of us in the iron game we know the difference. You can be nice without destroying all of humanity.
Would've loved to see Kaz with today's training methods.
Yeah I would think if he were plucked out of time and transplanted to today at his prime he would be comparable to Mitch or Martins. Just generally really good at everything.
Kaz had natural pressing power that neither of those have, perhaps a stronger squatter naturally than even Mitchell(and he beats martins for sure). Eddie, Z territory, Biby can be stronger, but Biby is also over 400. Kaz could run 800m with a solid time, and still do work. Not saying biby isn´t a freak man, but kaz was the 320 some beast that could do it all. Him at 345 of quality weight would be unmatched. Almost "Big Hall" levels of strength, but lighter and faster.@@elliottengstrand5988
Absolutely
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Kazmaier a few years ago in Alaska. He is a humble man and was great to talk with. I can tell you for an older gentlemen he is still a power house. I hope I get to cross paths with him again.
Kaz..my all time favorite 💪😎🇺🇸🇺🇸
Anatoly walks in:
"Can I clean little bit? Sorry!"
😂
Sorry, just a really dumb reference.
Nobody can convince me that he wouldn't have won at least 3 of the 5 he missed out on, which would've cemented him as a 6-time winner and the greatest WSM competitor ever.
How do you know you’re the greatest? When the have to right rules to keep you out!
Brings back memories I was a young powerlifter and Kaz worked out at my gym ( the old Muscle Factory/American Fitness Center in Norcross, Ga). He always was cordial and took time with me and gave me pointers. I'm 62 now and still pumping iron and hold onto those times.
One of the best we've ever seen for sure.
Really liking this series, please do more. ☺
Loved Kaz !! True power house !! Loved when his eyes went bright with frenzy !! True legend (((------)))
Yes of the strongest men who ever lived. The implements then were all unbalanced and raw, there have been great champions since, but Kaz at 100% is as close to unbeatable as it gets
Grew up watching him on wsm , 100% my favorite ever.
Loved watching kaz in early 80s ,when I first started training regularly, still at now aged 62 ,Criminal that they didn't let bill compete he had many more titles left in him 💪💪💪
Bill Kazmaier was a beast, and I'd put him at the top of the strongman list, without a doubt. He was so far ahead of everyone else it was incredible.
I'm Canadian and watched all the replays on TSN(very late at night and only 30 min episodes painfully)in the late 80's and into the 90's. Kaz and Capes, all those guys, were the inception for my love of strongman competition. Great video!
Awesome history lesson Loz, thanks for sharing. Look forward to more!
Great video! Just watched your interview with Kaz yesterday! He was/is ridiculously strong. I think he had a good point about how much more he would excelled at bench and other things if he had specialized more. And also what he could have done in football if he hadn't cut so much weight for wrestling. Thanks for making awesome content!
Can't wait to get to meet Bill Kazmaier in a few weeks at World Strength Games.....he will be announcing for the comp and to hear him call my name to the competition floor is going to be amazing!!!!!
Its not just the strength but its the personality and brand he created that's his legacy. Eddie Hall and Evan Singleton were born out of his style for sure
Also, he loved to read poetry and knit sweaters. What an icon.
Kaz was the man and always will be. period.
Louis Cyr!
I remember Kaz in my youth and saw him compete on ABC Sports Spectacular. He has responded to my messages on Instagram and even liked things I have shared showing he has a mind beyond Strongman.
These videos/documentary style are absolutely brilliant Loz!! Please keep them coming and thankyou for sharing
Thanks! We have lots more planned.
@@BigLozOfficial awesome! Cannot wait, seeing strongman as a sport just keep getting bigger is wicked. I recently booked my flights & tickets for Vegas!!
Watching Kaz throw full kegs in the back of a truck in the “keg carry” compared to the competition was like watching a real superhero. He made the seemingly impossible seem not only possible but easy for him.
I remember that.
It was hysterical to watch.
I have an autographed poster of him listing his accomplishments. My mother worked with him at the special olympics. Very good human.
I watched him win all those tittles way back in the 80's he was so strong. Then they banned/didn't invite him to like 3-5 years worth of world strongman events it was crazy. They knew he'd have won them also having like 7-8 tittles in a row thats how badass he was.
Zadrunis is definitely in the convo
Louis Cyr!!
AWESOME documentary Loz!
Nice! I JUST got done watching your Talking Strongman with Kay! Great timing
I think he is the best ever and probably have won those 5 years that wasn't allowed to compete
Strongest ever is Louis Cyr!! 😃
Disgrace that Kaz was banned from competing. He would have dominated for a few more years. Absolute beast
First man to bench 300kg. Saw him action with my dad in 1983 Gothenburg. He looked immens. Much later met him at a powerlifting meet in Europa and he was super nice gave me a few tips etc. A legend ❤
I was sent to Auburn in the 1980's to open a new office for the company I worked for. Kaz's Gym was downtown and I worked out there when I lived there. I got to view his intense training. As a side, on Wednesday night, Country's BBQ had all the fried chicken you could eat. I once saw Kaz eat 3 whole chickens and sides in one sitting. Amazing!
There will never be another Kaz, ever!!!
He's the greatest strong man ever.
Nope! Louis Cyr! 😃
@@stevenweint7893Nope. Paul Anderson. He said so because he said so many times. Just kidding.
@@kennethbroadwell653 LOL 😂
I worked out at his gym in Auburn 1982-84 and met him there. Kevin Greene worked out with him too. Great man. Amazing to watch work out. And a kind man.
What a LEGEND !💪
An absolute giant of a man. What a legend
I do love these mini documentaries on this channel.
In his prime, he was 6'2.5"-6'3" and averaged between 320 and 340 pounds of muscle. No one was stronger than him statically in his heyday. He could be a very intimidating man, but he had an inner belief in himself and that is why he never gave up, even when he would injure himself over and over again. Had he not done so in 1989 at the WSM, he had a good chance of winning that year imo.
Saw him compete with Geoff Capes in Devon UK in 1987 I believe. It was the first world record I had witnessed where Capes threw 56lb weight with one arm over a bar.
I'm really glad things turned out well for him
I met him one time by accident for 4yrs ago and despite his older age he is still jacked!
Another great vid Loz! I remember watching WSM as a kid and Kaz always stood out, for his huge physique, but mainly the way he worked himself up into a psychotic rage before each event :-)! He seemed like a man possessed! WTF wasn't he invited to those WSM's? How can they not invite the reigning champion? Has to be politics, and I'm surprised you didn't explain this further Loz, but I guess you're being diplomatic. Kaz is a legend, right up there with the best....Marius, Zydrunas, Jon Pall, Magnus ver. It'd be great to see him at his peak competing today.
He wasn't invited because many of his fellow competitors did not like him and he was always clashing with the organizers and judges.
Big fan of Kaz..he is awesome
I met the legendary Bill Kazmaier at the 1984 Carmunock Highland Games.
I was there with my family, including my 14 month old sister - Bill, an absolute gent, took a shine to this "little Scottish cutie" and posed for some photos with her - he couldn't have been nicer - a truly wonderful person and an inspirational figure.
A huge man with a huge heart, even after being treated disgracefully by the WSM suits.
Kaz was an absolute beast.💪
I loved it, rember when i was in primary school " iam the strongestman to ever live" thought he was a real big head, as the years went on he became one off my favorites, he was a real bad loser, thats why he was such a good winner. Think he could of won one maybe two more WSM titles he was getting quite beat up lots of injuries. Great Video !!!!
Great video!
I watched him growing up.
Totally loved watching the world's strongest man competitions.
And I definitely believe at that point in history.
He was ( pound for pound )
The Strongest man in the World.
And to this day in his weight category still one of the best ever.
I used to workout at a gym in Roswell Georgia in about 1986ish and he worked there. I was just a young, silly, 17 year old kid who worked out hard but wasn't going to change the world of lifting. Bill was super chiill, gave me pointers on shoulder workout, etc. I knew he was. a big deal but he was always a good guy to me and my friend. Good memories from almost 40 years ago, thanks. I hope my memory is correct!?
Legend
Eddie Hall always made me think of Kaz, monster static strength, barrel chest, not afraid to say what was on his mind, not scared of anyone. Great video, would love to have seen what a prime Kaz would do in today's era with modern training, nutrition etc
Eddie is a putz.
The REAL GOAT of strongman, he'd have kept winning if they'd have allowed him to compete, and imagine if he had modern supplements, nutrition and training, he'd be off the charts!
LEGEND! Geoff Capes was ALSO a Legend in his heyday! 👍🏻💪🏻 They were ALL legends back then in the early days of WSM I was obsessed as a kid used to watch it every year over Christmas and New Year! 🏴🇬🇧
Super strong, with a great attitude,🙏🏽
Loved watching Bill as a Kid in the 80's. What young boy wouldn't dream of being the strongest man in the world. And he was confident, yet so likeable, USA!
Kaz was my favorite strong man to watch compete I really believe in his time he was the strongest man.
Used to workout at a gym called "Free's" in San Marco, ca ~ 1985 or so. There was a park across the street, Kaz would work out then head to the park and toss wooden telephone poles. The guy had huge hands, giant. Nice guy.
I remember. Such a great man. ❤
Met Bill in person at an event. Very down to earth and humble. I believe at that time he was like 6'5" about 330 lbs. I was like 165 lbs.
I was at Auburn after Terry Todd invited Kaz. The man was enormous. Kaz opened a fitness center on the main drag that was quite popular. If I recall correctly, Todd's wife could push some iron, too. Bill was/is an original.
Jan Todd was the OG. Just before the incredible Bev Francis.
Awesome !
Strongman has always been an amazing sport to watch, in the 70s qnd 80s having to wait till xmas to watch wasn't a problem why we haven't got live strongman now is beyond me, we have do many sport channels surely strongman has a place on tv. Anyone know why we still have to wait til Xmas in UK.
Bill Kazmeier absolutely is the greatest strong man ever
I love the bill thumbs up signature move after a lift....classic
He rocked
Yes he was the best
can you please inform us where you got the interview footage from where geoff capes speaks i cant find the footage on youtube ,what is the documentary called please
The old strongest men were such a trip. Reminds me of the early Olympics. Squatting playboy bunnies with a clear see through plexiglass is iconic.
It is sexist.
Respect
Big Z enters the chat.
Legend. Great to see some old footage I haven't seen before.
The strongest man I have ever known pound for pound was my uncle Rich, God bless his soul. He was five foot ten inches tall, about 275 pounds when he lifted a 700 pound plus stone off the ground and then loaded it on a flat bed truck. Men like this exist, but no one ever hears about them
Proof??? 🧐🤨
He’s our modern day Hercules to be remembered in literature from our era 10,000years from now when our civilization is dust and lost to the ages as we look at Egyptians or Sumerians
Met him in 2006 when he used to come by our gym at Troy university. Dude was still extremely massive and nice guy.
He looks like Doug Heffernan awesome living the life ❤
Good ole days of network TV. As a kid in the 70s and 80s , these kinds of competitions were a lot of fun to watch. Battle of the network stars was another one that was entertaining.
Legend.
We are proud of all our Wisconsinite brothers.
I know this is not strictly strongman (although he competed in WSM), but I'd love a video like this about someone like Franko Columbo or even Ronnie Coleman - freakishly strong dudes who never got that deep into strength sports
It was always fun when Hjalti Úrsus yelled Kazmaierinn (The Kazmaier) at Jón Páll to get him pumped 😊❤
There must be more to say about the 5 years without a WSM invitation. Bill seemed very accepting of such a strange decision.
I always wondered what happened to him. I had no idea they'd cheated us all (including him). He really was the ultimate competitor and was there to absolutely do damage. Full marks for Geoff - there were certain events that were his own and Jean Paul (Viking-Power!), the greatest showman of all!
So sad he was denied a chance for 5 long years- I'm confident he'd of taken at least the next 3 titles- what a shame we'll never know. Always the greatest strongman for me
Yes Kaz told that he's the strongest ever back in 81, but if you ask the question today, even he would say that Hafthor is the strongest man ever.
I Love Thor He's Insane As Well But Prime Big Z Smokes Prime Thor
@DavidVirtanen they would best each other on different lifts but overall i got prime thor imo he is the strongest to ever live
Kaz is a legendary strongman.
Kaz was the greatest strongman till big z came on the scene. World's strongest man continues to this day to not invite the best athletes and taylor events to their favorite athlete.
Big Z was not even the best until Pudzianowski retired. Check their head to head record lol
Bill was easily the strongest most athletic guy I've ever seen. When Game of Thrones 1st game out, and people mentioned the "mountain" this is who I 1st pictured in my head lol.
So I knew Bill personally for years as a mentor and friend. Don’t negate Bill’s mind for his body. His mind drove his body. He is a great man personally nothing to do with ability’s
The good ol days of wsm. I wish somebody would do a legends competition, where the legends are the events and aparatus. Stones are a great test of strength and the stone medley was one o me faves 🤘y'all have a badass day🤘🍻🤘
Kaz
Capes
JPS
Magnus
Pudzian
Z
Shaw
Thor (or Tom or Martins)
& Moose
All in their prime. What a show that would be.
So many other names you could throw in too.
IMO he also had the most impressive body, he was crazy thick everywhere without bloated belly, thick neck and traps like a bull, he was looking like a bodybuilder in a deep off-season, lots of muscles. Even now in an old age, he has thick bones and thick frame.
Seems like a true gent
Absolutely loving these style videos
Thank you. As long as people enjoy them we will keep them coming
@BigLozOfficial LOZ I WOULD HAVE LOVED TOO SEE KAZ IN HIS PRIME AGAINST BRIAN SHAW AND Z AND THOR BUT IF WE GO BY KAZMIERS BEST LIFTS IT'S CLEARLY THAT ALL 3 GUYS ARE STRONGER BUT MAN WHAT A SHOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF KAZ WAS IN HIS PRIME TODAY.
@@BigLozOfficialBUT ONE THING I WILL SAY LOZ KAZ TOOK OFF 6 YEARS OF STRONGMAN AND CAME BACK IN 1988 AND HE ALMOST BEAT JOHN PAUL BUT I SO WISH WE COULD SEE KAZ TODAY COMPARED TO THESE OTHER GUYS.