Alexander Zass

Alexander Zass (1888 – 26 September 1962) was a Russian strongman, professional wrestler, and animal trainer. He was better known by his stage names, The Amazing Samson, Iron Samson, or simply Samson, Zass has been credited as the "first Russian champion in weightlifting in the pre-Revolutionary era".
Biography.
Zass was born in 1888 in Vilnius, then part of the Russian Empire. While a young man, Zass' strength training included "bending green branches".
During First World War, Zass served in the Russian army, fighting against the Austrians. He was taken as a prisoner of war four times, but managed to escape each time. As a prisoner, he pushed and pulled his cell bars as part of strength training, which was cited as an example of the effectiveness of isometrics. At least one of his escapes involved him 'breaking chains and bending bars'. He went on to promote the use of isometric exercises.
Following the war, Zass joined a circus to perform feats of strength, touring internationally. It has been claimed that Zass was a spy and secret agent working for Russian military intelligence, using his circus travelling as cover. In 1926, his autobiography, "The Amazing Samson: as Told by Himself", was published.
His first wife, Blanche, died in 1928 while still a teenager. He was still performing as a strongman in the 1930s.
From the 1950s until his death, Zass lived in Hockley, Essex, staying in a bungalow along with other former circus acts. He died in 1962; after a dawn funeral, he was buried in the parish church of St Peter & St Paul in Hockley, England. He was honoured with a statue in a museum in Orenburg, Russia.
Strength feats.
Zass has been credited with various feats of strength: