Louis Cyr

Louis Cyr, baptised Cyprien-Noé Cyr (October 10, 1863 – November 10, 1912) was a famous Canadian strongman. Cyr never backed down from a challenge and was undefeated in Canada and abroad. His fame was earned before accurate records were kept and before weight lifting was included among Olympic events.

His reputation as a strongman

While several of Cyr's feats of strength have been exaggerated over the years, some were documented and remain impressive. These included lifting a platform on his back holding 18 men, lifting a 500-pound weight with his finger and pushing a freight car up an incline. Perhaps his greatest feat occurred in 1895, when he was reported to have lifted 4,337 pounds on his back. One of Cyr's most-talked about stunts occurred on 12 October 1891, in Montreal. On that occasion he restrained four horses?two pulling in each direction.

Related Topics:
12 October - 1891

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In The Strongest Man in History, Ben Weider says that Cyr's records remain "uncontested and incontestable." Cyr died of chronic nephritis.

Related Topics:
Ben Weider - Nephritis

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A district of Montreal is named Louis-Cyr in his honour; it is located in Saint-Henri, the area he patrolled as a police officer. Both the Parc Louis-Cyr and the Place des Hommes-Forts are named after him, the latter being decorated with his image in the form of a statue.

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