JOSHSHAININ.COM: Sports -- World's Strongest Man -- John Gagnon: Maine's Modern Hercules

John Gagnon -- "Maine's Modern Hercules"

Josh,

Just found your web site on a WSM search on Google.

I've been watching WSM competitions for many years now, BUT....

when I hear or read of someone claiming to be the strongest EVER.....

I have to set the record straight.

On Tuesday, February 14, 1923, in a strong man contest held at city hall in Augusta,

Maine, my second cousin, John B. Gagnon, beat Warren L. Travis, of Brooklyn, NY.

The event was well covered by the Maine press. If you check your history, Travis was

the official holder of the title of World's Strongest Man, and had the diamond belt to

prove it. He was stunned by Gagnon's brute strength. Because it was not an "officially

sanctioned" match, Travis was able to retain his "official" title. Attempts to schedule

a return match were unsuccessful. Travis knew he would lose the title.

Here are John B. Gagnon's recorded lifts that evening, all accomplished in 25 minutes:

Finger lift..................................................794 pounds

One-hand lift...........................................1,111 pounds

Two-hand lift...........................................1,575 pounds

Two-hand & knees lift..............................2,195 pounds

Neck lift.................................................1,317 pounds

Harness lift.............................................2,689 pounds

Teeth lift....................................................627 pounds

One-arm lift................................................924 pounds

Two-arm lift.............................................1,248 pounds

Back lift (persons on platform)..................4,170 pounds

TOTAL WEIGHT LIFTED.........................16,650 POUNDS. . .in 25 minutes.

I've been watching World's Strongest Man competitions for years. I've yet to

see any man come even close to this feat. The only man to do more weight

in a back lift is the late great Paul Anderson, who still holds the Guinness

record of 6,270 pounds.

I am not making this up. Please do a search of Maine newspapers (Kennebec

Journal, Bangor Daily News, to mention just two). You'll find that much was

written about the startling strength of the man dubbed, "Maine's Modern Hercules."

Thanks for taking time to read my letter. If you would like more info on the above,

I would be glad to provide more details on the neglected legacy of this amazing man.

Sincerely,

Philip L. Gagnon, Sr.

Click Here For More John Gagnon Information, Thanks To Phil Gagnon

Click Here For John Gagnon Pictures, Authentic Newspaper Articles, etc., Thanks To Phil Gagnon