The Post-Journal

Reinhoudt Wins Strongest Man Title; Big Welcome Parade At Brocton Today

BROCTON – Don Reinhoudt, Brocton resident by way of Fredonia, comes home to a hero’s welcome today. He is the World’s Strongest Man, at least the television version of the champion.

Reinhoudt topped the field in filming for the TV program entitled The World Strongest Man Tournament and will be greeted by a parade and the plaudits of his fellow townsmen.

Big Don, who stands 6-3 and weighs 330 pounds, was en route to Buffalo by plane this afternoon. “We have word from California that he won and we will meet him at Buffalo Airport to start his welcome home program,” Lon Lessing, an official of the Brocton Civic Committee said.

The televised competition, which drew many of the world’s strong men shooting for thousands of dollars in rewards, is a unique event. It does not consist of weight lifting, but is made up of such events as wheelbarrow races with several hundred pounds, iron bar bending, girl carry, refrigerator carry, barrel lift, car lift and vehicle pull.

Reinhoudt holds all three records in power-lifting, the bench press, dead lift and

squat.

First place in the strongest man meet pays $10,000, according to a circular made public by meet officials some time ago. It is AAU sanctioned.

The film will be shown on Wide World of Sports probably in September.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Mill Street on Route 20.


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We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.