Jan Stanisław Cyganiewicz, better known by his ring name, Stanislaus Zbyszko, and frequently referred to in the contemporary English-language press as Zbysco, was a Polish strongman and professional wrestler. He was a three-time World Heavyweight Champion at his highest profile in the United States during the 1920s. The surname Zbyszko was only a nickname, given to him by friends due to his bravery when he was a child. The name comes from a fictional medieval Polish knight in the historical novel, The Knights of the Cross by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Stanislaus Zbyszko was the brother of Wladek Zbyszko (1891–1968).
Zbyszko circa 1919
Zbyszko circa 1913
Ike Robin (right) and Stanislaus Zbyszko, still billed a world champion, shake hands before their 1926 bout in Auckland, New Zealand.
A strongman is someone who exhibits strength through strength athletics. Strength athletics, also known as strongman competitions, are composed of a variety of events in which competitors have to move the highest weights possible, the winner being the one having the highest tally across all events. In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or similar circus performers who performed feats of strength.
Angus MacAskill was a notable strongman of the 19th century.
Brian Shaw performing the deadlift at the 2017 Arnold Strongman Classic