Josef Steinbach
Personal information
Born21 March 1879
Horschau, Bohemia
Died15 January 1937 (aged 57)
Vienna, Austria
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight114 kg (251 lb)
Sport
SportWeightlifting
ClubI. Erdberger Athleten-Klub, Viena
Medal record
Representing  Austrian Empire
Intercalated Games
Gold medal – first place 1906 Athens Dumbbell
Silver medal – second place 1906 Athens Barbell
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1904 Vienna Open weight
Gold medal – first place 1905 Berlin +80 kg
Gold medal – first place 1905 Duisburg Open weight

Josef Steinbach (21 March 1879 – 15 January 1937) was an Austrian weightlifter. He was born in Bohemia and in 1894 moved to Vienna, where he began competing in weightlifting in 1898. He won three world titles in 1904–1905 and two medals at the 1906 Intercalated Games: a gold in one-hand and a silver in two-hand lift. After the Games he became professional wrestler and exhibition weightlifter. In 1910 he repeatedly challenged Arthur Saxon for the world professional weightlifting title, but to no avail.[1][2]

Steinbach set several world records. In particular, his one-hand lift of 106 kg remained unbeaten until the 1930s. In 1924 he appeared in the silent film The City Without Jews.[2]

Steinbach died in 1937 and was survived by son Leopold. The same year a large granite monument was built in his honor, sponsored by a group of Austrian and German weightlifters and wrestlers.[1][2]

References

Steinbach at the 1906 Olympics
  1. ^ a b Josef Steinbach. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ a b c G. Spitaler: "Steinbach Josef d. Ä." In: Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon 1815–1950, Vol. 13, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Viena 1957–2005, pp. 160–161 [1] [2].
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Josef Steinbach.
Categories