David Blazer

David Jacob Blazer was a sailor and strongman born in 1886. He was most popular between 1914-1918 as a strongman performer, but David also for appeared in numerous ads for the Maxalding course as Seaman Blazer. Furthermore, David Balzer was featured in “History of the Iron Game” by a well-known strength historian W.J. Lowry.

David Blazer

Blazer left home at the age of 16 to join the Navy where he set up a physical culture training club. In 1911 David was already well-developed and that’s when his weightlifting career began. Around this time, Monte Saldo organized a contest for Professor Szalay in effort to help him, as he lost everything after a court case against Eugen Sandow. David Blazer took part in the competition and won the “Britain’s Best Developed Man” title.

David Blazer casually holding his training partner while reading a book and smoking

He set many weightlifting records between in 1912 and 1913 and four of those were witnessed by Thomas Inch and Edward Aston. David was Saldo’s pupil and he weightlifted regularly when not on board, and using non-apparatus system when at sea. David left the navy in 1916 and shortly after joined the London Salvage Corps. During this period Blazer was actively involved at the South London Physical Culture Club and trained with the likes of Edward Aston, Monte Saldo and Thomas Inch.

David Blazer performing a handstand during his days in the Navy

David’s strongman career on stage involved two acts, a real strongman act (The Cornelius Brothers) and a light one called Versatile Entertainers.

David Blazer pressing his partner overhead using one arm, during one of their performances as The Cornelius Brothers.

Aside from weightlifting and feats of strength, David Blazer also played Concertina & Mandolin. He died at the age of 54 after an accident on the London Underground.