I Remember Vasily Alexeyev – Iron Game History – January, 2012

When the news reached me that the great Vasily Alexeyev had died in Germany it struck with real force. What other lifter would ever reach his status? Or cast such a shadow? No doubt my reaction had to do with how lucky I’d been to see him often in his long, majestic prime and to spend a good deal of personal time with him. Or perhaps my reaction was simply because both his face and his “figure” were so unforgettable. No one in weightlifting or in any other sport could equal his trademark scowl and no one could match-or would want to match-that great cowcatcher of a belly.