IWF120y/85 – 1952: John Davis (USA) completes a 14-year winning streak with second Olympic gold

He was one of the weightlifting heroes in the years following World War II: US legend John Davis. Born in January 1921 in Brooklyn (New York), he was only 17 when he won in 1938 his first world title in Vienna (AUT). Statistically, he remained unbeaten until 1952, but his career had to be halted during the world conflict, when he served in the US Army between 1941-1945, being mobilised on the Pacific front. If the Olympics and World Championships had not been cancelled during the period 1939-1945, his roll of honour would have been even more impressive. Despite the adverse circumstances, Davis kept his good shape and strong motivation to win, and appeared stronger than ever at the 1946 Worlds, where he was again the best. He repeated the achievement in 1947 and arrived in London for his first Olympic appearance. In the +82.5kg, his performances went unmatched, as he clinched the gold in 137.5-137.5-177.5-452.5. In subsequent years, he got three more victories at the IWF showcase, in 1949, 1950 and 1951. Arrived at the 1952 Games in Helsinki as the favourite to triumph in the +90kg category, he confirmed his supremacy, winning in 150-145-165-460, a new Olympic record. After two Olympic and six World Championships gold medals, Davis entered the 1953 global showcase in Stockholm, but due to a thigh injury he had to be content with silver. It was the end of a 14-year winning streak that consecrated Davis as one of the greatest lifters in history. After establishing 16 World Records (two in Press, seven in Snatch, four in Clean & Jerk, and three in Total) throughout this impressive career, he definitively left the platforms in 1956, after suffering a serious leg injury at the Olympic Trials for the Melbourne Games. John Davis died in July 1984, aged 63.