Rigoulot (Charles)

Rare vintage black and white photograph by V. Henry studio of Charles Rigoulot, nicely signed in ink to the lower border by the French 1924 Olympic gold medal champion weightlifter, additionally signed by the photographer, pencil annotations to the reverse, 10.5 x 16.5cm; together with a 1920s French postcard of Rigoulot in contemporary strongman pose with printed signature and text, 13.6 x 9cm. (2)

***Rigoulot won the gold medal in the 82.5 kg division at the 1924 Summer Olympics. Between 1923 and 1926 he set eight official world records. In 1924, he became the first person to clean and jerk more than 400 pounds, using the non-revolving barbells of that time. In 1928 he set two World Records; a clean and jerk of 360 lbs and a snatch of 253 lbs.