No One Could Figure Out How This 7th Grade Girl In The '50s Could Be So Incredibly Strong
by N/A, 10 years ago |
2 min read
If weightlifting is your thing, then there's a good chance you've heard of California's famous Muscle Beach - deemed by many as the birthplace of contemporary fitness.
Nowadays, it attracts some of the biggest, burliest meatheads out there. Numerous Mr. Universe winners have trained there, including the unforgettable Arnold Schwarzenegger, and countless world renown bodybuilders use it is their go-to training grounds today. But back in the 1950's, when it was just gaining its name, Muscle Beach had one very extraordinary regular.
Dubbed "the world's strongest 7th grader," April Atkins was a bright, vivacious 12-year-old, that just so happened to also have unbelievable strength.
Literally, it was - and still is - unbelievable.
Bodybuilders from around the world would flock to her, awestruck and baffled by her strength.
After catching wind of April's incredible feats, LIFE Magazine sent photographer Loomis Dean to Muscle Beach to capture these photos of her in action.
Crowds were constantly stunned by her. No one could conjure up an agreeable explanation as to how she was able do the things she did.
And now, over 60 years later, the same question that filled the minds of her privileged spectators still lingers...
How in the hell could a 12-year-old girl do these things?!
To this day, April's strength remains a mystery. But if there's one thing we can be certain of, it's that there has never been - and likely never will be - another 7th grader like her.
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Do not show me this again