Olympic champion Nikolai Balboshin describes legendary grip strength in interview

Five-time world champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling Nikolai Balboshin detailed the extraordinary strength of his grip in an interview. Balboshin explained that he could assess opponents' strength through pre-match handshakes and would strategically squeeze their forearms during matches to restrict blood flow, causing swelling and fatigue. He recounted breaking a dynamometer (grip strength device) that maxed out at 120 when testing exceeded the limit. During one training session, he squeezed an opponent's arm so severely the wrestler couldn't continue, crying that his 'arm is dead.' Balboshin also recalled making the King of Sweden's fingers audibly crack during a medal ceremony handshake at the 1977 World Championships, deliberately squeezing hard so the monarch would remember the moment. He proudly noted that few people could withstand the pressure of his 'friendly handshake,' which he described as his signature move.