Georg Lurich was born in 1876 in a small village in Estonia when it was part of the Russian Empire. His professional career as a wrestler and strongman began in 1895 when he set a world record at a weightlifting contest in St Petersburg. Soon after winning that contest, he toured his homeland meeting many adoring crowds. To this day, his name is still a household word and you can find it on many schools, gymnasiums and other public buildings.
