Wrestling legend Nikolai Balboshin describes his legendary grip strength

Five-time world champion and 1976 Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling Nikolai Balboshin revealed details about his exceptional grip strength in an interview. He would squeeze opponents' forearms so hard during matches that their hands would swell up, cutting off blood flow near the elbow. Balboshin recounted shaking hands with competitors before matches to gauge their strength and predict how difficult the bout would be. He once broke a dynamometer at a medical dispensary when it maxed out at 120 and he squeezed harder. In his autobiography, Balboshin described making a coach's fingers look 'flattened' after a prolonged grip battle and recalled making the King of Sweden's hand 'crunch' during a medal ceremony at the 1977 World Championships.