Jonny Weismuller - 'The Tarzan'
Champion swimmer - Olympics - 1924 - 1928:
Premasara EPASINGHE
It is very rarely, an outstanding, legendary sports star becomes
renowned, famous, internationally in another field. A Rumanian born boy,
who grew up in Chicago, United States of America in a place called
Michigan Ville, shone as an outstanding swimmer and went to represent
USA in two Olympic Games - 1924 and 1928.
What's the other field he became famous. It is the film industry.
This great Olympic champion was undoubtedly one of the greatest
swimmers produced by the United States of America. His name was Jonny
Weismuller - Tarzan. After retiring, he took upto acting in films. His
first film was "Tarzan and the Ape Man."
Jonny Weismuller's first coach was Bill Backrav. He was the swimming
Instructor cum coach at the YMCA - Michigan. He was the first to spot
the talent of this tiny - tot - Jonny Weismuller. He was a disciplined
boy and he was trained under his coach. Bill Backrav, knew early, that
his product will be an outstanding swimmer in the future.
Very soon, Jonny Weismuller, learnt his art of swimming and was
unbeatable in free-style. It was a treat to watch him swimming. This
pleasant, charming, colourful personality, six footer, turned out to be
a big attraction in many swimming pools of USA. He became the cynosure
of all eyes in double quick time.
In 1924, Olympic Games, Jonny Weismuller, won the Gold in 100 m
free-style. Not only, he came first in his event, he erased the existing
record established in 1912 and 1920, by Duke Kahanamoku. Further, Jonny
Weismuller annexed to 400 m Gold. He was also an outstanding member of
the 4x200 m Relay quarter. Further, he was also a member of the American
Water-Polo Team.
In 1869, this water-sport, Water-Polo was introduced. Originally,
they called this - "Soccer-in water." Aim is to score goals, as in
soccer, at each end of a swimming pool. It is played by Teams of seven a
side, from squads of 13.
Jonny Weismuller, on a number of occasions brought credit and honour
in representing the American Water-Polo team too. Jonny Weismuller can
therefore be considered as a "king of Aqua Sports" in the American
annals of sports history.
In 1928 Olympic Games, Jonny Weismuller collected "Golds" in 100 m -
free-style, and in 4x200 m relay.
This brilliant, swimmer Weismuller established records in eleven
free-style swimming events. He established sixty seven (67) World
Records in swimming events and also fifty two (52) National Records. In
the Olympic Games alone, he won five (5) gold medals. Only Mark Spitz of
USA surpassed this record.
In the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, 22 year old Mark Spitz, in less
than two weeks, participating in thirteen (13) events, won seven (7)
Gold Medals.
The highlight was that in all these events, he established new
records. The day after his last event, the Palestine Guerillas, attacked
the Munich Olympic village in 1972, massacred some Jew athletes. As Mark
Spitz was also a Jew, for security reasons, he left the Olympic village
before the Games ended.
After retiring from swimming in 1932, Jonny Weismuller went to
Hollywood - "the kingdom of films." Many film directors approached this
majestic personality. In 1932, he acted in his first film, titled
"Tarzan - the Ape Man." It was a "Box office hit." More than his heroics
in swimming and Water-Polo, Jonny Weismuller, the film star became
internationally famous. Tarzan films were so thrilling and exciting,
many film-goers flocked to see them. Later, he acted in many Television
Films as "Jungle Jim."
This great personality, fine sportsman Jonny Weismuller was a man
with a golden heart. This outstanding sportsman, the world class
swimmer, was a good Samaritan, a person who readily gives help to one in
distress, who has no claim upon him or her. He left all his Gold Medals
and his wealth for the welfare of the mentally retarted innocent
children, by establishing a Welfare Fund. What a Great Man!
Jonny Weismuller passed away in January 1984. |