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 discussed his exceptional grip strength in an interview. Balboshin explained that he would judge opponents by their handshake before matches, knowing weak grips meant easy victories. During wrestling, he would squeeze opponents' forearms near the elbow, stopping blood flow and causing their arms to swell. He recounted instances where opponents' arms became so compromised they couldn't continue fighting. Balboshin broke a dynamometer at a medical clinic after exceeding its 120 maximum reading. In his autobiography, he described his signature "friendly handshake" that few could withstand, including making Sweden's king's fingers crackle during an awards ceremony at the 1977 World Championships.