Full name: Leonid Ivanovich Zhabotinsky
Original name: Леонид Иванович Жаботинский
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2" (189 cm)
Weight: 359 lbs (163 kg)
Born: January 28, 1938 in Uspenka, Sumy, Ukraine
Country:
Soviet Union
Sport: Weightlifting
Medals: 2 Gold (2 Total)
Leonid Zhabotinsky took over from Yury Vlasov as claimant to the title, “The World's Strongest Man.” Vlasov was heavily favored to defend his Olympic championship in 1964 at Tokyo, but Zhabotinsky defeated him by breaking the world record in the clean & jerk. Zhabotinsky followed this with world championships in 1965 and 1966 and then defended his Olympic title in 1968. He also won European Championships in 1966 and 1968. Zhabotinsky was less impressive against the record book than some other super-heavyweight world champions, but he did post 19 world records – one in the press, 16 in the clean & jerk, and two in the total. He had a very long career as he set his last world record, 183½ kg. in the clean & jerk, on 18 December 1973.
| Games | Age | City | Sport | Event | Team | NOC | Finish | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 Summer | 26 | Tokyo | Weightlifting | Men's Heavyweight | Soviet Union | URS | 1 | Gold |
| 1968 Summer | 30 | Ciudad de México | Weightlifting | Men's Heavyweight | Soviet Union | URS | 1 | Gold |