i think ken patera is pictured in the 1976 edition world book article on weightlifting. didn't know it was him because, like in this video, he looks a lot different than he was as a wrestler.
I was a fan of Patera in the WWF in the mid-80s and had heard about his weightlifting of course, but this is the first I've ever seen of it. Thank you for posting. One question...why does he wear his glasses while lifting? I wouldn't think he would need those and it seems like they could be a distraction at times.
@Derby14 He wore glasses back at BYU throwing shot put. Those old black framed nerd glasses no less. I have an old BYU yearbook with a picture of him throwing shot. He went there about the same time as my parents.
Also, we should remember that Ken Patera was the first man to CLEAN 500 lbs; he cleaned 503 in a contest in 1969, but missed the jerk. Alexeev later became the first man to fully clean and jerk 500, in 1970 with 501.5 lbs.
to finrod55..fascinating post re patera..do you remember any other of his training lifts or assistance exercises? the 408 behind the neck press is unbelievable
I don't recall much else: it was long ago. But I do remember Ken doing a VERY high snatch-grip pull with 430, and it made me wonder why he couldn't snatch that much, it was so high. (Of course, back then, big pressers didn't worry about the snatch; they didn't need to.) Shortly before the '72 Games Ken pressed 505 and jerked 505 in competition, so I was very surprised and sad that he bombed at the Olympics a short while later.
I trained at the same gym as Patera 3 times in 1972. He was so strong I thought he would beat Alexeev at the Olympics that summer. One day I saw Ken push-press 507 for 3 singles, and a week or so later a strict behind-the-neck press with 408. I think at that point he was stronger than Alexeev, maybe almost as strong as Reding. But he was not in good form at the Games, and bombed out. Like Reding, he was shaken up by the murders of 11 athletes and coaches by terrorists 2 days earlier.
its ok, technique isnt great, nothing special, still it was a long time ago weightlifting has really developed in some countries recently, strength is very good!
I have seen ken a few times while training in minnesota. I will say that he is by far one of the nicest guys I have ever talked to. After all the abuse hes done to his body he cant lift anymore but its sure nice to see him in the club.
this is incredible to see these guys lift!
MrCranberry777 2 weeks ago in playlist Olympic Weightlifting
Monster!!
RompYa 2 weeks ago
i think ken patera is pictured in the 1976 edition world book article on weightlifting. didn't know it was him because, like in this video, he looks a lot different than he was as a wrestler.
lotuseater6691 11 months ago
what a strong bastard
wuzreeelytho 1 year ago
With those glasses he looks like Jack Osborne.
TSWilson6250 1 year ago
what did he need glasses for
Whyisthisthat 1 year ago
clean and jerk..!
exportmarket 1 year ago
I was a fan of Patera in the WWF in the mid-80s and had heard about his weightlifting of course, but this is the first I've ever seen of it. Thank you for posting. One question...why does he wear his glasses while lifting? I wouldn't think he would need those and it seems like they could be a distraction at times.
Derby14 1 year ago
@Derby14 He wore glasses back at BYU throwing shot put. Those old black framed nerd glasses no less. I have an old BYU yearbook with a picture of him throwing shot. He went there about the same time as my parents.
Gamebox27 1 year ago
Comment removed
Gamebox27 1 year ago
Whats the Clean and Jerk mean , im not a waitlifter , I have no clue?
dontmesafrusciante 2 years ago
@dontmesafrusciante Clean is
a method when get a bar on
your shoulder,jerk is jerk..
Pentagonshark666 1 year ago
Also, we should remember that Ken Patera was the first man to CLEAN 500 lbs; he cleaned 503 in a contest in 1969, but missed the jerk. Alexeev later became the first man to fully clean and jerk 500, in 1970 with 501.5 lbs.
finrod55 2 years ago 6
to finrod55..fascinating post re patera..do you remember any other of his training lifts or assistance exercises? the 408 behind the neck press is unbelievable
418cjpaul 2 years ago
I don't recall much else: it was long ago. But I do remember Ken doing a VERY high snatch-grip pull with 430, and it made me wonder why he couldn't snatch that much, it was so high. (Of course, back then, big pressers didn't worry about the snatch; they didn't need to.) Shortly before the '72 Games Ken pressed 505 and jerked 505 in competition, so I was very surprised and sad that he bombed at the Olympics a short while later.
finrod55 2 years ago
I trained at the same gym as Patera 3 times in 1972. He was so strong I thought he would beat Alexeev at the Olympics that summer. One day I saw Ken push-press 507 for 3 singles, and a week or so later a strict behind-the-neck press with 408. I think at that point he was stronger than Alexeev, maybe almost as strong as Reding. But he was not in good form at the Games, and bombed out. Like Reding, he was shaken up by the murders of 11 athletes and coaches by terrorists 2 days earlier.
finrod55 2 years ago 10
Over 400 behind the neck is incredible.
jason1771 2 years ago
Bellissimo, Altri tempi
GrassiMax 2 years ago
its ok, technique isnt great, nothing special, still it was a long time ago weightlifting has really developed in some countries recently, strength is very good!
mikeyburger1 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Patera is not clean but he is a jerk!
chasmcrown 3 years ago
that took so much imagination
mc1703 3 years ago 2
go fuck yourself..
chasmcrown 2 years ago
here's my shoulder to cry on
mc1703 2 years ago
lol!
mikeyburger1 2 years ago 3
Strong.
AndyGriffin69 3 years ago
He wasn't selling his leg... a big decca based oil pocket popped in his rear end...
powerlifter501 3 years ago
hahaha he was selling the leg afterwards.
billingsleymeister 3 years ago
I remmmeber this back then! We always called Patera the one with the glasses! His Brother Jack Patera used to coach the Seattle Seahawks!
1975tooto 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Anyone ever seen a case where they clean, jerk and cum?
FreezingMoonFog 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I thought it was jerk, cum, and clean?
JustJumpProductions 2 years ago
If memory serves I recall a photo of Patera push pressing 550 lbs. back in the day.
Ease54 3 years ago
dude what a massive pull and squat to bad his jerk couldn't match
ErNBuRn1 3 years ago
its still crazy that alexiev and redding were able to easly PRESS more,
chiefwr88 4 years ago 3
bullshit
WCWite 3 years ago
why it it bullshit, redding pressed 228 and alexiev did 230
chiefwr88 3 years ago
Patera could have done more if he wanted to
WCWite 3 years ago
oh ya sure, i can press 250... but i dont feel like it lol
chiefwr88 3 years ago 3
patera's a beast
PhilM662 4 years ago
Is Ken still running his Health Club over there?
keijimuto 4 years ago
I have seen ken a few times while training in minnesota. I will say that he is by far one of the nicest guys I have ever talked to. After all the abuse hes done to his body he cant lift anymore but its sure nice to see him in the club.
sktempmn 4 years ago
Just don't ask him about the...incident.
Tubewings 4 years ago
McDonalds anyone?
MrMojoRisin71LA 4 years ago
This was before he became a wrestler?
Apjooz 4 years ago 2
Yes. Ken dropped about 70 pounds to become a wrestler. I still believe had he not hurt himself he'd have outlifted Alexeev.
diamondman420 4 years ago
Man, Patera was huge back then. 340 pounds of him.
Drumshanbohustle 4 years ago 2
might help with perspective & sense of balance, do you wear glasses???
ozwunder69 4 years ago
I wouldn't think you'd need to wear glasses to lift a weight.
highnrising 4 years ago