Strong women of the past
Circus artistes and impressing with his strength athletes of the 19th and begining of 20th century
Athleta Van Huffelen
She was born in Belgium in 1868 and, like other active at that time power athletes, comes from a family of circus artists.
From the little practiced different power activities.
After her first solo performance left a strong impression – no one was so strong woman.
Athlete by the realization that the audience wants to see only demonstration of strength by lifting weights and started to shock by raising people, horses and drums. But its numbers do not stop here – bending horseshoes and rails, and fought with other women of power world.
A standard part of its program was a performance in which she danced a waltz, balancing barbell back, the ends of which there was one sag man, but on her shoulders – two more.
He traveled to England, Germany, France and the US – where they go, leaving behind a sensation.
But not only the strength of its contribution to the rapid fame – another important factor was its external appearance. She was considered a great beauty according to the standards, and three years after his retirement from the stage, had the following measures: chest circumference of 121.9 cm, waist about 90 cm, 42.4 cm biceps.
Some of her personal accomplishments are: pushing 90 kg discarding 1 hand 49 kg. He had a record of 1 minute isometric a 19.6 kg weight on the palm of your hand stretched sideways.
She had three daughters who continued its operation.
Minerva (1869 – 1923)
Behind this nickname stands name of Josephine Blatt – born in Hamburg, Germany. There is a gap in the year and place of birth, according to various sources of that time – in one interview she says she was born in 1865 in Hamburg, but according to the Guinness Book, in which it is listed, an American, born in 1869.
This is not so important in this case because the power it was stunning enough. For several years Minerva holds the record for most weight lifted by a woman – platform 18 (and according to some sources – 23) males and total weight to 1360 kg.
It was one of the most successful athletes of power circus scene until his retirement (aged 42 years), astonished audiences throughout Europe and America.
In its demonstrations include breaking steel chains with chest and capture the 10-pound cannonballs fired from near a cannon.
The food has occupied a major part of the life of the athlete and Minerva is shared in interviews that always had the best that can procure.
Breakfast it consisted of beef (nedoizpecheno), oatmeal, french fries, tomatoes with onion and 2 cups of coffee. Dinner ate French soup, lots of vegetables, steak, three fried eggs and tea.
Anette Busch (1882-1969)
Born in Estonia. As a teenager began to train in local sports club, where new ground in sports terms, then left for Russia and joined the circus troupe.
She performed the toughest numbers – short iron chains, bending iron bars around the shoulders and torso …
… And all this with his bare hands, and then with enviable ease – as if without effort.
One of the most memorable numbers it is fear of a bull, which she grabs the bull by the horns and turn it back on.
Exported performances and together with her best friend (which will meet another time) – toured the world and showed the audience female combat and unprecedented power.
Married a Czech officer Josef Hlinowsky, which settled in Japan.
Joseph became manager of his wife and soon began to make big money. The secret of their success was understandable because it was the first borkinya coming beyond Japan.
Anna learned Japanese language and perfected in sumo, and its opponents were only men with whom we deal with ease – mainly because of its good technique and solid personal weight of 130 kg
