To spice things up, today we’ll learn more about Kate Brumbach, better known as The Great Sandwina. She was a strongwoman born into a circus family in 1884 in Austria. Her parents were well-trained circus performers with their own qualities, both in terms of strength and muscle proportions.
Sandwina breaking chains, a feat of strength she used to perform regularly
Sandwina started performing in a circus in her early years with her family. Most of her strength came from the physical strength she possessed, as she stood more than six feet tall with 187 pounds in bodyweight. She used to exercise regularly which resulted in 17 inch biceps and 26 and half inch thighs.
Soon, Sandwina became a wrestler of men and her father offered 100 marks to anyone who could beat his daughter. It is said she never lost a bet and one of the guys she beat was Max Heymann, who was impressed enough by Sandwina to marry her. The couple stayed together for 52 years!
The Great Sandwina with her husband – it’s no wonder she beat him in wrestling!
Sandwina got her nickname after defeating Eugene Sandow in his own specialty – weightlifting. She was able to lift 300 lbs over her head, but Sandow made it only to his chest.
Another regular act in Sandwina’s performance
Kate Brumbach lifts and holds three man without much effort.
She continued to work for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus until the age of 60 and apart from overhead lifts on the stage, Kate was involved in other feats of strength including metal bending and resisting the pull of multiple horses.