The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

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		Inducted June 9, 1983 Born in Poland in 1881, Zbyszko was considered among the top three foremost wrestlers in the world. He was more than a mere muscle-man; he was one of the most cultured sportsmen who ever lived. Zbyszko was a graduate of the University of Vienna, a lawyer, musician, philosopher, poet, master of 11 languages and the inventor of the tilt-top exercise table. After conquering some of the world's greatest professionals in Europe, Zbyszko came to the U.S., where he continued his winning ways, culminating in the world professional wrestling title by defeating Ed "Strangler" Lewis in 1921. He successfully defended the title three times in the next 12 months, only to lose it to Lewis in a rematch, and then regain it in 1925. He retired from wrestling at the advanced age of 54, leading some to call Zbyszko the eighth wonder of the world - the grand old man of wrestling. He died in 1967 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
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