Thank you for this video! I had never seen this. Jim Williams was my father, and I am thankful for your representation of him. Although his life was cut short, he certainly outlived what was in most cases rumor. Thanks again!
As a native Scrantonian, I grew up hearing all the stories/legends of "Chimesy" Williams. He was famous/infamous throughout the city/region, not as a powerlifter, but as a genuine tough guy/no-holds-barred streetfighter by all boys/men for a long time. Stories are still told about the times he fought (and beat) other renowned streetfighters in town. Most Scrantonians were unaware of his powerlifting successes because back then (1960s and 1970's) powerlifting was a mystery to most; it was an activity largely limited to a small group of strong men who trained at the local YMCA. One of those other strong men is shown in the photo you show of Chimesy sitting with Bob Hoffman (wearing a beret) who founded York Barbell. That man is John Kuc. John was from a neighboring town but trained at the Scranton YMCA along with Chimesy. A man of few words, John achieved world class fame for his deadlift and total. For a period, he was also a bodybuilder as I remember him winning "best back" at the local "Mr. Anthracite" competition. I had the pleasure of meeting John a few times as he operated a weight equipment store for a couple years. He was a real gentleman and was willing to answer my dumb training questions whenever I saw him. If you haven't already, you might want to consider doing a similar video tribute on John Kuc as well. Also pretty amazing that a small town like Scranton (and neighboring Wilkes-Barre) produced two world champions in powerlfting "back in the day". brad jones
Josh, I could be wrong, but I heard John passed away. He was a good guy: quiet, polite and unassuming. After powerlifting, he and his brother owned/ran a doughnut shop. I'll post link to an article in a local newspaper about it, at end archives.timesleader.com/1997/1997_05/1997_03_09_THIS_BAKER_WON_T_BE_MISTAKEN_FOR_PILLSBURY_DOUGH_BOY_FORMER_WORL.htmlof this post. Another guy who trained with Kuc, and who still competes in his 70's is Bob Gaynor. Last I knew, he ran a Fitness HQ store in Wilkes Barre, PA. I tried to find a way to contact him, but to no avail. If you can reach him, I'm sure he could tell you stories about Kuc and about the history of powerlifting overall. I never felt Kuc received the fame he deserved. Here's link to the article I mentioned:
You might want to check out Iron History.com site for info on John as well. Good luck. If I come across anything, will share.Another goofy story about Chimesy Williams: In the early 1970s Chimesy was reputed to have a standing offer to fight any one, any time. A friend of mine at the time---a skinny white guy/hippie used to make prank calls and record them on an old tape recorder. He once called up Chimesy; deepened his voice; and told Jim Williams that he (my friend) was the "white Chimesy" and that he wanted to fight Chimesy, promising to kick his butt. Chimesy very calmly and patiently said just name the place and the time. Even though it was before called ID, my friend still got scared and hung up immediately. Such was the legend of Jim "Chimesy" Williams in NE PA at the time.
"What choice did barbells have when confronted by an upper body that looked like a brown nylon sack full of bowling balls?" One of Terry Todd's greatest lines, about Jim Williams.
This was even before CT Fletcher set his bench press records. I remember hearing stories of Jim "Chimesy" Williams in the local YMCA and other gyms in the Scranton area for many years. One such story was that he set the world record for the bench press back in the late 60's or 70's, but it was never officially counted as a world record because he did the lift while incarcerated. Don't know how true that was, but I could certainly believe it.
Just for reference, CT held records in the Bench Press (raw) at 650 lbs. and strict curl at 225 lbs. Both of these have since been broken, but he did have them at one time.
he was the first man to bench 700 raw, he did it infront of the whole olympic team and the coaches and he duplicated this in someone elses basement gym. his 675 was stolen because the IPF fucked him over Bill Kazmaier wasnt the bench king it was Jim, but Bill's potential slaughtered Jims. just like Scot Mendelson who says his best raw bench in the gym was like 765 touch and go but he was trying for the equipped record and he thought 715 was plenty high. also said he did 365 for 58 reps after a workout. get him on ask him about his numbers and measurements, think he had a 28 inch neck in his prime just ridiculous shit!
I am huge fun but you open Pandoras box once gym lifts are counted. Bill hit 661 without wraps, that is more impressive than 661 with elbow wraps, 15 pounds out of the wraps....NO WAY.....more I lifted in the meet Scot did 715, he missed 730 so not sure on anything else with him
it was after 2005^ and i've seen meets they all have shitty rules and different rules i love gym lifts because there all the same its touch and go and ass is on the bench, powerlifting rules suck some places you have to be flat foot some toes up is okay some you have to pause some you have fuck all pause like Spoto's but Kennelly can still hit over 600! James Henderson has video proof on his phone he tripled 700.
your chanel so much better than nick strength, no disrespected to the young man,plus you talk bout what u did and coaches some of the best benchers in the world ,so ur credibility us definitely high also I can only imagine what u would do ?training Larry wheels,Eric spotto and Eddie hall ,my bet is they will all bench 700 regularly ,I know spotto did already ,but definitely they will be monsters
He did 720 raw 700 for reps in front of referee raw he also did 715 raw in front of referees he also half squatted 1200. He was said to be able to total 2,500 and have the natural talent to surpassed Paul Anderson and anyone like him.
I remember being in grade school back in the 80s hearing stories about him he was like superman to all of us kids in Scranton. He was a legend
BOOM
Thank you for this video! I had never seen this. Jim Williams was my father, and I am thankful for your representation of him. Although his life was cut short, he certainly outlived what was in most cases rumor. Thanks again!
DUDE thanks for posting! It was an honor an amazing guy I really would have love to meet. God bless you brother!
As a native Scrantonian, I grew up hearing all the stories/legends of "Chimesy" Williams. He was famous/infamous throughout the city/region, not as a powerlifter, but as a genuine tough guy/no-holds-barred streetfighter by all boys/men for a long time. Stories are still told about the times he fought (and beat) other renowned streetfighters in town. Most Scrantonians were unaware of his powerlifting successes because back then (1960s and 1970's) powerlifting was a mystery to most; it was an activity largely limited to a small group of strong men who trained at the local YMCA. One of those other strong men is shown in the photo you show of Chimesy sitting with Bob Hoffman (wearing a beret) who founded York Barbell. That man is John Kuc. John was from a neighboring town but trained at the Scranton YMCA along with Chimesy. A man of few words, John achieved world class fame for his deadlift and total. For a period, he was also a bodybuilder as I remember him winning "best back" at the local "Mr. Anthracite" competition. I had the pleasure of meeting John a few times as he operated a weight equipment store for a couple years. He was a real gentleman and was willing to answer my dumb training questions whenever I saw him. If you haven't already, you might want to consider doing a similar video tribute on John Kuc as well. Also pretty amazing that a small town like Scranton (and neighboring Wilkes-Barre) produced two world champions in powerlfting "back in the day".
brad jones
Thanks for sharing! Is John still around and if you can put us in touch with him we would love that!
Josh, I could be wrong, but I heard John passed away. He was a good guy: quiet, polite and unassuming. After powerlifting, he and his brother owned/ran a doughnut shop. I'll post link to an article in a local newspaper about it, at end archives.timesleader.com/1997/1997_05/1997_03_09_THIS_BAKER_WON_T_BE_MISTAKEN_FOR_PILLSBURY_DOUGH_BOY_FORMER_WORL.htmlof this post. Another guy who trained with Kuc, and who still competes in his 70's is Bob Gaynor. Last I knew, he ran a Fitness HQ store in Wilkes Barre, PA. I tried to find a way to contact him, but to no avail. If you can reach him, I'm sure he could tell you stories about Kuc and about the history of powerlifting overall. I never felt Kuc received the fame he deserved. Here's link to the article I mentioned:
Thanks Brad! Link didn't work, I will research.
THANK YOU!
You might want to check out Iron History.com site for info on John as well. Good luck. If I come across anything, will share.Another goofy story about Chimesy Williams: In the early 1970s Chimesy was reputed to have a standing offer to fight any one, any time. A friend of mine at the time---a skinny white guy/hippie used to make prank calls and record them on an old tape recorder. He once called up Chimesy; deepened his voice; and told Jim Williams that he (my friend) was the "white Chimesy" and that he wanted to fight Chimesy, promising to kick his butt. Chimesy very calmly and patiently said just name the place and the time. Even though it was before called ID, my friend still got scared and hung up immediately. Such was the legend of Jim "Chimesy" Williams in NE PA at the time.
Jim Williams and Jon Kuc were my idols when I began my journey with the iron back in the 70s.
BOOM
*Jim 'Chimsey' Williams was truly a ''gentle giant", a "gentle man."*
"What choice did barbells have when confronted by an upper body that looked like a brown nylon sack full of bowling balls?" One of Terry Todd's greatest lines, about Jim Williams.
Excellent!!!
This was even before CT Fletcher set his bench press records. I remember hearing stories of Jim "Chimesy" Williams in the local YMCA and other gyms in the Scranton area for many years. One such story was that he set the world record for the bench press back in the late 60's or 70's, but it was never officially counted as a world record because he did the lift while incarcerated. Don't know how true that was, but I could certainly believe it.
I don't think CT has any records??/
Well, he had some back in the day, but they've all been broken since.
Just for reference, CT held records in the Bench Press (raw) at 650 lbs. and strict curl at 225 lbs. Both of these have since been broken, but he did have them at one time.
The pic at 4:25 is big grizzly bear not William's
at around 4:17 theres a picture of grizzly brown and jon pal, Jim Williams is no where in that pic
I love these videos Josh. Thank You. No examples of training routines for this gentleman?
Nothing concrete beyond what was mentioned. If we have something that looks more reliable, we will share and thanks for the support
I got it. Thanks
Jim Williams WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME! ......Real Samson.
YES!
Yeeah boy!!! This is another great video,Josh.
Jim is. a legend!! Thanks for watching and the support
The Great Bench Presser Anthony Clark 4:33. First teenager to Bench Press 600lbs
are you going to make a video on james henderson?
Maybe in the future thus far, everything has been further back. He is too contemporary for this point in time
™My Father used to workout with him💪😎🤙
AWESOME
Sammy yes!ha ha ha😉
he was the first man to bench 700 raw, he did it infront of the whole olympic team and the coaches and he duplicated this in someone elses basement gym. his 675 was stolen because the IPF fucked him over Bill Kazmaier wasnt the bench king it was Jim, but Bill's potential slaughtered Jims. just like Scot Mendelson who says his best raw bench in the gym was like 765 touch and go but he was trying for the equipped record and he thought 715 was plenty high. also said he did 365 for 58 reps after a workout. get him on ask him about his numbers and measurements, think he had a 28 inch neck in his prime just ridiculous shit!
I am huge fun but you open Pandoras box once gym lifts are counted. Bill hit 661 without wraps, that is more impressive than 661 with elbow wraps, 15 pounds out of the wraps....NO WAY.....more
I lifted in the meet Scot did 715, he missed 730 so not sure on anything else with him
it was after 2005^ and i've seen meets they all have shitty rules and different rules i love gym lifts because there all the same its touch and go and ass is on the bench, powerlifting rules suck some places you have to be flat foot some toes up is okay some you have to pause some you have fuck all pause like Spoto's but Kennelly can still hit over 600! James Henderson has video proof on his phone he tripled 700.
plus in terms of sheer impressiveness nothing beats caseys marathon dip sessions of dipping 250 lbs for 7 hours. going from 5 reps down to 1
I main issue with gym lifts is there is just so many people that bench 900 raw in their basement LOL
He had a video phone 20 years ago??????
your chanel so much better than nick strength, no disrespected to the young man,plus you talk bout what u did and coaches some of the best benchers in the world ,so ur credibility us definitely high also I can only imagine what u would do ?training Larry wheels,Eric spotto and Eddie hall ,my bet is they will all bench 700 regularly ,I know spotto did already ,but definitely they will be monsters
Appreciate the kind words Jack!
He did 720 raw
700 for reps in front of referee raw he also did 715 raw in front of referees he also half squatted 1200.
He was said to be able to total 2,500 and have the natural talent to surpassed Paul Anderson and anyone like him.
2,500 total RAW.
If there is a shred of truth to this he sure left a lot of pounds on the platform