Olympic champion Nikolai Balboshin recalls his legendary grip strength

Nikolai Balboshin, a 1976 Olympic champion and five-time world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, discussed his exceptional grip strength in an interview. He would squeeze opponents' forearms so hard during matches that their hands would swell, and he could gauge their strength by their handshake before a bout. Balboshin recalled making opponents unable to continue due to swollen arms, breaking a dynamometer during a medical exam when he exceeded its 120 kg maximum, and making the King of Sweden's hand crackle during an awards ceremony. His grip strength was so legendary that few could withstand his handshake. Balboshin believed the King of Sweden would remember him for life after that powerful handshake.