County legend, strong man Don Reinhoudt dies

The Dunkirk Observer ^

[Ge0ffrey]

Reinhoudt, 78, was inducted into the National Strength and Power Hall of Fame in 2018. In the same year, he was named in the Top 10 All-Time Strongman of the Century by the International Powerlifting Federation. He also served as the director of the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau for a number of years.

Even during his time competing, Reinhoudt would provide motivational presentations that used to feature him showing off his strength. A typical show some 15 years ago would consist of him splitting license plates, bending metal pipes and ripping phone books with his bare hands.

His list of accomplishments over the years include a 2,500-pound car lift; a 1,000-pound back lift; a 20,000-pound truck pull; a 10,000-pound tram pull; a 350-pound log lift; a 300-pound barrel lift; and a 175-pound dumbbell press.

Reinhoudt’s successes, however, go way beyond the platform. He received the coveted White House Commendation from President Ronald Reagan, was given the keys to the cities of Jamestown and Buffalo, has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the World Powerlifting Hall of Fame (1998), International Powerlifting Federation Hall of Fame (1980), Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (2005), United States Powerlifting Hall of Fame and the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame (1983), and has been featured in every strength magazine of the era.

[Boogieman]

At first I thought it said “Country legend, strong man” which would have been an interesting combination of careers.

[Larry Lucido]

RIP

Did he know Izzy?

[Larry Lucido]

If he’d lived a little longer, he could have been a state legend.

[DannyTN]

"At first I thought it said “Country legend, strong man” which would have been an interesting combination of careers."

me too. I never heard him sing.

[Ge0ffrey]

He received the coveted White House Commendation from President Ronald Reagan.

[cdcdawg]

Me too. I briefly imagined Johnny Cash bench pressing.

[Bob434]

He was a powerhouse- he lifted 904 lbs- he lifted it but couldn't lock the knees, but still it was a massive feat- one that stood for a long time i beleive-

Eddie "The Beast " Hall later broke the record and lifted 1,102 pounds

For how he accomplished this task-

LINK

[Bob434]

i posted the above to show how brutal the competitions and lifting such massive weights can be- often contestants woudl bleed from their noses, feint or pass out, etc- which could put them in great danger especially when lifting above their heads-

Eddie and a couple other strong man contest winners went aroudn the world challenging and breaking previous world records with some pretty amazing feats- dangerous feats- They pretty much smashed the records for most- all kinds of crazy record breaking lifts, far removed from televised competition- like lifting and carrying a massive farm implement for a distance that was considered insane to even try- and other crazy feats of strength-

[Boogieman]

Well, he got me beat. I did get one of those Presidential Fitness certificates for my performance in gym class back in the 80s, but Reagan did not show up personally to hand them out :(

[Bigg Red]

Muscular men look great, but that much muscle is just gross looking. Don’t know any women who disagree with me.

(I am a woman.)

[Bob434]

yeah, they do it more for setting strength records- the other strongmen are even bigger than Eddie was- their caloric intake per day is insane- it cost them a mint just to eat and train- some women i guess don’t mind it, as most are married, but the strongmen really are more about strength, not looks=-

[rdl6989]

I read it the same way.

[Bigg Red]

Okay, I see.