Koca Yusuf

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Koca Yusuf

Koca Yusuf was a Turkish strongman/weightlifter. Aside from his strength and impressive physique, Koch was also well known for his intelligence and ability to write poetry and novels.

[edit] Early Years

Koca Yusuf was born on 6th December 1879, in Dalyan Turkey. His mother died of excessive bleeding whilst in childbirth with Koca. He was raised by his father alone who never re-married. Koca was an average child who excelled in english, often picked on for being "Teachers pet". Aged 13 he began Weightlifting under the supervision of his father, to get bigger as he was quite slim. His father was an infamously huge man with a short temper. His height is reported as at least 6"3" and Koca told people after his death that he was "built like a bear".

Koca showed an exeptional knack for weightlifting and bodybuilding. By the time he was 17 he weighed around 230lbs and was 5'10" - 5'11".

[edit] Career

Aged 19 Koca joined Ali Rambackers Cirque de placard, performing feats of strength. Whilst working at the circus he met Sandy Frapp, a fellow performer, whom he married in 1899. In 1906 aged 27 Koca was drinking in a bar with friends when a fight broke out, Koca ended up killing a man and was incarcerated for 7 years until his release in 1913. Koca always protested his innocence and the man he killed was a notorius troublemaker and drunk.

Throughout his life Koca never left his native Turkey.

Kocas most notable feat of strength and courage came in 1915 when he was aged 35. Koca fought away a brown bear from his home, which have an average height of 8 feet and weight well in excess of 1 ton. This made him a national hero. In 1916 he unofficialy deadlifted 1,500lbs. This feat was said to have been witnesses by 50 people but there was not enough evidence for the life to be accepted as a record. His greatest official deadlift was 994lbs.

Alarmingly, despite his massive frame and strength, Koca reportedly struggled with the benchpress. His highest achieved press being under 500lbs.

[edit] Death

Koca Yusuf died aged just 40 in 1920, the cause was thought to be a heart attack. In 1994 a book in turkey was realeased charting his life, the book has to this date sold over 1 milion copies but has never been translated to any other language.