1966 World Olympic Weightlifting Championships in East Berlin, plus Webster’s Strongman Collection & Memorabilia!

David Pirie Webster was born on 18 September 1928. He completed a degree in physical education at Teachers Training College, in Aberdeen, and as a public school teacher before turning to community recreation and sports promotion work in Scotland. As an author, Webster has published hundreds of articles in a wide variety of academic and popular journals.  He passed away 18th October 2023, aged 95.

This video includes a 30 minute segment, transferred from rare black and white 16 mm film (shot by David himself), of the 1966 World Olympic Weightlifting Championships in East Berlin, in the former East Germany. Leonid Zhabotinsky set a new World Record in the Clean & Jerk of 218 kg in the Super Heavyweight Class at this contest. Bob Bednarski of USA was second. (Silent film – music added)

Taped at David’s home ‘museum’ in Irvine, Scotland, we take a trip down memory lane and look at some of his treasures from the golden era of physical culture.

Starting inside the house, David takes us on a tour as he explains his priceless possessions, such as rare books, medals, statues, films, plaques, swords, magazines, and hundreds of rare photos. David is a skilled physique sculptor and you will see some of his work. David’s second claim to fame is that he also organises World’s Strongest Men Competitions, and Highland Games Strength events. He received the O.B.E. for his services to sport.

Just as we thought we had seen it all, Dave Webster took us through his ‘garden museum’. Items that caught the camera’s eye; Old time dumbells and weights from Sandow’s era, solid dumbells and kettlebells from the 1800’s. Hercules and strongman statues, etc. We end this 55 minute segment of nostalgia with a selection of early photos including Sandow and Hackenschmidt. (The Russian Lion).

David Webster is a living legend, and was a judge at some of the first NABBA Universe contests.

Interview and photos by Clive Jaques.