Was Hermann Goerner Truly Mighty? – Iron Game History – May, 2007

In general, when a sport figure reaches the highest international standard, he transcends his or her home country’s borders and becomes an international star. Leipzig weightlifter Hermann Goerner (1891-1956) appears to be an anomaly where his own country is concerned. An examination of the three main books in English about weightlifting history, The Super Athletes by David Willoughby (1970); The Iron Game by David Webster (1976); and Anvils, Horseshoes and Cannons (1978) by Leo Gaudreau—plus current internet resources—clearly demonstrates that English-speaking fans and experts have viewed Goerner as a true phenomenon.