Back in the beginning of his wrestling days, he not only claimed that 600 lb. clean, but a seated press behind the neck of 405 x 3. Can't imagine having that kind of shoulder strength.
I trained at the same gym as Patera 3 times in 1972. He was so strong I thought he would beat Alexeev at the Olympics that summer. One day I saw Ken push-press 507 for 3 singles, and a week or so later a strict behind-the-neck press with 408. I think at that point he was stronger than Alexeev, maybe almost as strong as Reding. But he was not in good form at the Games, and bombed out. Like Reding, he was shaken up by the murders of 11 athletes and coaches by terrorists 2 days earlier.
For me the “big time” was a !55kg clean at a bwt of 95 kg lol! Patera Iand Dan Cantori) let me work in with them on squats when I was there but they more or less just tolerated me. They were used to me being around and respected that I worked hard with no talent 😂
I know I’m replying to a 13 year old post BUT in an interview a year ago, Patera didn’t seem too shaken by the 1972 Olympics murders. He said he was pissed that the games were delayed. Athletes at that level are laser-focused on one thing: winning.
I don't recall much else: it was long ago. But I do remember Ken doing a VERY high snatch-grip pull with 430, and it made me wonder why he couldn't snatch that much, it was so high. (Of course, back then, big pressers didn't worry about the snatch; they didn't need to.) Shortly before the '72 Games Ken pressed 505 and jerked 505 in competition, so I was very surprised and sad that he bombed at the Olympics a short while later.
It is rumored that Ken did a 550 press off of blocks in training. The man was strong. I just don't think he focused enough on the lower body training performance of of the lifts. Just my opinion. I welcome all discussions.
Also, we should remember that Ken Patera was the first man to CLEAN 500 lbs; he cleaned 503 in a contest in 1969, but missed the jerk. Alexeev later became the first man to fully clean and jerk 500, in 1970 with 501.5 lbs.
Taranenko did 300 clean that is 661 lbs unbelievable.Ken Patera was said to have cleaned 600 lbs but this must be just a rumor because he was very awkward in the Olympic lifts.He had a good push press alleged 550 lbs but both Alexeev and Reding if press went after 1972 would have done this in a normal press as this was their very best lift.Both Reding and Alexeev are dead with Alexeev dying at 69 and Reding still in his 30's just when he has finally got his life in balance with a marriage,sad!
I was a fan of Patera in the WWF in the mid-80s and had heard about his weightlifting of course, but this is the first I've ever seen of it. Thank you for posting. One question...why does he wear his glasses while lifting? I wouldn't think he would need those and it seems like they could be a distraction at times.
That's exactly right. You have men lifting in the 89k class putting up numbers once thought good for heavyweights. The Chinese are remarkable. They hold more world records than any other country.
to finrod55..fascinating post re patera..do you remember any other of his training lifts or assistance exercises? the 408 behind the neck press is unbelievable
i think ken patera is pictured in the 1976 edition world book article on weightlifting. didn't know it was him because, like in this video, he looks a lot different than he was as a wrestler.
@Derby14 He wore glasses back at BYU throwing shot put. Those old black framed nerd glasses no less. I have an old BYU yearbook with a picture of him throwing shot. He went there about the same time as my parents.
alexeev did 240kg in training and strict press,not push press.if alexeev would have done push presses also,then i think he could have managed to get up to 250kg or who knows how much more and by official standards,alexeev has c&p more than Patera has c&j -ed.also gym lifts are something totally different,than the lifts you do in the competitions.did you know,that taranenko did a 300kg clean in the gym also and a 280kg clean and jerk? nevertheless those are gym lifts and not something official.
its ok, technique isnt great, nothing special, still it was a long time ago weightlifting has really developed in some countries recently, strength is very good!
![[Live] : ONE 168 วันนี้!! "โจนาธาน vs ซุปเปอร์เล็ก"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jIN65KgJsI/mqdefault.jpg)
Back in the beginning of his wrestling days, he not only claimed that 600 lb. clean, but a seated press behind the neck of 405 x 3. Can't imagine having that kind of shoulder strength.
I trained at the same gym as Patera 3 times in 1972. He was so strong I thought he would beat Alexeev at the Olympics that summer. One day I saw Ken push-press 507 for 3 singles, and a week or so later a strict behind-the-neck press with 408. I think at that point he was stronger than Alexeev, maybe almost as strong as Reding. But he was not in good form at the Games, and bombed out. Like Reding, he was shaken up by the murders of 11 athletes and coaches by terrorists 2 days earlier.
So why didn't you make it to the big time?
For me the “big time” was a !55kg clean at a bwt of 95 kg lol! Patera Iand Dan Cantori) let me work in with them on squats when I was there but they more or less just tolerated me. They were used to me being around and respected that I worked hard with no talent 😂
I know I’m replying to a 13 year old post BUT in an interview a year ago, Patera didn’t seem too shaken by the 1972 Olympics murders. He said he was pissed that the games were delayed. Athletes at that level are laser-focused on one thing: winning.
Patera also had a back deformity, which he considered the source of his great shoulder strength.
Wich deformity?
What kinda deformity
Amazing feat of strength! For those of you who weight train, *that* is why you must train legs - they are where your strength comes from!
I don't recall much else: it was long ago. But I do remember Ken doing a VERY high snatch-grip pull with 430, and it made me wonder why he couldn't snatch that much, it was so high. (Of course, back then, big pressers didn't worry about the snatch; they didn't need to.) Shortly before the '72 Games Ken pressed 505 and jerked 505 in competition, so I was very surprised and sad that he bombed at the Olympics a short while later.
Yes. Ken dropped about 70 pounds to become a wrestler. I still believe had he not hurt himself he'd have outlifted Alexeev.
I remember watching him on NWA Wrestling as a youth
Ken's brother Jack Patera was the 1st coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 1976-82, for you trivia fans out there
If memory serves I recall a photo of Patera push pressing 550 lbs. back in the day.
That is just raw power. Unbelievable
Over 400 behind the neck is incredible.
Thats real strongmen...puond for puond stronger then ghe bloated guys today
It is rumored that Ken did a 550 press off of blocks in training. The man was strong. I just don't think he focused enough on the lower body training performance of of the lifts. Just my opinion. I welcome all discussions.
hahaha he was selling the leg afterwards.
Also, we should remember that Ken Patera was the first man to CLEAN 500 lbs; he cleaned 503 in a contest in 1969, but missed the jerk. Alexeev later became the first man to fully clean and jerk 500, in 1970 with 501.5 lbs.
Alexeev is credited with being the first man to officially clean and jerk 500lbs. He did it at the World Championships in Columbus, Ohio in 1970.
Taranenko did 300 clean that is 661 lbs unbelievable.Ken Patera was said to have cleaned 600 lbs but this must be just a rumor because he was very awkward in the Olympic lifts.He had a good push press alleged 550 lbs but both Alexeev and Reding if press went after 1972 would have done this in a normal press as this was their very best lift.Both Reding and Alexeev are dead with Alexeev dying at 69 and Reding still in his 30's just when he has finally got his life in balance with a marriage,sad!
Monster!!
Bellissimo, Altri tempi
I was a fan of Patera in the WWF in the mid-80s and had heard about his weightlifting of course, but this is the first I've ever seen of it. Thank you for posting. One question...why does he wear his glasses while lifting? I wouldn't think he would need those and it seems like they could be a distraction at times.
The undisputed 3 strongest men in pro wrestling history:
1) Bill Kazmaeir
2) Mark Henry
3) Ken Patera
Henry never out Olympic lifted Ken patera.
@@angrybear2332 Henry has snatched more than Patera though.
Ted Arcidi?
Its amazing how far has the sport progressed. This kind of weights is now seen in the 77 class, even cycling off.
That's exactly right. You have men lifting in the 89k class putting up numbers once thought good for heavyweights. The Chinese are remarkable. They hold more world records than any other country.
to finrod55..fascinating post re patera..do you remember any other of his training lifts or assistance exercises? the 408 behind the neck press is unbelievable
Bravo !!!
His wrestling career was essentially over after Dino Bravo pinned him cleanly.
Is the injury a work?
i think ken patera is pictured in the 1976 edition world book article on weightlifting. didn't know it was him because, like in this video, he looks a lot different than he was as a wrestler.
top-level weight lifters are doing over 250 kg in the clean and jerk. They're doing more than what ken patera cleaned and jerked in the snatch!!!
Absolutely. Let's see, however, how they fare trying to clean and press 505 pounds like Patera did.
@dontmesafrusciante Clean is
a method when get a bar on
your shoulder,jerk is jerk..
dude what a massive pull and squat to bad his jerk couldn't match
here's my shoulder to cry on
Just don't ask him about the...incident.
This was before he became a wrestler?
its still crazy that alexiev and redding were able to easly PRESS more,
@Derby14 He wore glasses back at BYU throwing shot put. Those old black framed nerd glasses no less. I have an old BYU yearbook with a picture of him throwing shot. He went there about the same time as my parents.
I have a feeling that very few people ridiculed him to his face about the glasses.
"... knee. "
that took so much imagination
might help with perspective & sense of balance, do you wear glasses???
Ken Patera looks like Bill from King of The Hill
Ken Patera was very strong but not very speed....
alexeev did 240kg in training and strict press,not push press.if alexeev would have done push presses also,then i think he could have managed to get up to 250kg or who knows how much more and by official standards,alexeev has c&p more than Patera has c&j -ed.also gym lifts are something totally different,than the lifts you do in the competitions.did you know,that taranenko did a 300kg clean in the gym also and a 280kg clean and jerk? nevertheless those are gym lifts and not something official.
Patera's best lift in competition : press 230 / snatch 172.5 / clean & jerk 230
You're a little off there; He did 229.3 kg in the C&P as well as the C&J and 175.3 kg in the Snatch. These all occurred at the 1972 Senior Nationals.
Funny how this little crossfit clowns think they are strong.
Just think, there are now guys weighing in the 180s doing that much. In a few years, you'll see women in the unlimited class doing it.
oh ya sure, i can press 250... but i dont feel like it lol
lmao
I wouldn't think you'd need to wear glasses to lift a weight.
why it it bullshit, redding pressed 228 and alexiev did 230
Pound
ROIDS
lol!
its ok, technique isnt great, nothing special, still it was a long time ago weightlifting has really developed in some countries recently, strength is very good!
0:17 They pay a guy to rub you down with a towel? I know alot of men in here would do it for free or pay.