IWF120y/111 – 1952: Stanley Stanczyk (USA), a winner in sport and in life
Born in 1925 in a Polish family that had immigrated to Wisconsin (USA), Stanley ‘Stan’ Stanczyk and his parents moved to Detroit one year later, after an epidemic killed his two elder sisters. In his new home, life never ceased to be difficult: the random jobs of his father and the associated poverty obliged young Stan to be strong, morally and physically. He discovered weightlifting in his teenage years – to “gain muscles” – and in 1943 he was mobilised in the US Army during the last years of World War II. Six months after his discharge, he took part in the 1946 World Championships in Paris (the first major competition after the conflict) and won his first of many titles. He would repeat the achievement in the subsequent four editions of the global showcase, in 1947, 1949, 1950 (when he got his best result of 125-130-165-420), and 1951. In the meantime, he travelled to London, for the 1948 Olympics, and was also above the field in the British capital, clinching gold in 130-130-157.5-417.5. In Helsinki 1952, for his second Olympic appearance, he was the runner-up in his category (82.5kg), securing the silver medal in 127.5-127.5-160-415. In 1951, he was also the best in the first edition of the Pan-American Games. He was still present at the 1953 and 1954 IWF Worlds, earning the bronze on both occasions. After that, he retired from the sport (in which he improved eight World Records) and opened a bowling alley in Florida – together with his wife, they ran the business for 27 years and Stan became also a talented player. He passed away in 1997, aged 72.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
