Legendary Wrestler. Georges Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (aka Hack or The Russian Lion), of German and Swedish descent, was born at Dorpat in the province of Estonia, Russia (now Tartu), Estonia. Hack was genetically and physically gifted. He took after his Swedish grandfather. Hack is considered one of the greatest Greco-Roman and catch-as-catch-can wrestlers of all time. He excelled at cycling, gymnastics, swimming, running, jumping and weightlifting. Hack set at least a dozen world records in weightlifting that lasted over 50 years. He could, from a wrestler's bridge, press over 330 pounds twice. Hack even beat Sandow's record of a one-arm lift of 269 pounds in 1898 on his 20th birthday. In weightlifting circles he is perhaps best known for his version of the squat named after him, the "Hack Squat". But it was wrestling where he became a legend. Hack was a enduring master of combat, winner of over 3000 straight fights. The Russian Lion's two greatest triumphs came in 1904 when he defeated the American champion Tom Jenkins and then a giant Turkish wrestler named Madrali, who he beat in 44 seconds with a crushing bear hug. Then there were his memorable matches with Frank Gotch in Chicago in 1908 and 1911. It was Hack's only defeat; he quit after 2 hours, 3 minutes in 1908. However, Gotch had resorted to unfair tactics. Then, in 1911 at Comiskey Park, was set a rematch which would become the match of the century. Gotch used an illegal toe-hold and tried to break Hack's leg, so Hack gave the I "give". It was just a couple of weeks before that Hack torn up his knee and wasn't supposed to wrestle. But being a man of his word Hack agreed, and so goes history. Jack Curley considered George Hackenschmidt the greatest wrestler of all time, with Jenkins second and Gotch third. Hack, after retiring from wrestling, wrote books and lectured around the world. He spoke over seven languages. He lived with his French wife Rachel in South Norwood, London. He died at St. Francis Hospital in Dulwich, London. He was then cremated and his ashes were given to his wife and were secretly scattered. Hack's ancestors are all buried in Tartu, Estonia at Raadi Cemetery.