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Kenneth Wayne Patera (born November 6, 1942) is an American retired professional wrestler, Olympic weightlifter, and strongman competitor.
A world-class weightlifter before entering the ring, Ken Patera was the first American man to clean and jerk 500 pounds and the second Superstar to capture the Intercontinental Championship, defeating Pat Paterson for the coveted title in 1980.
Feb 15, 2023 · Ken Patera was the first American to clean and jerk over 500 lbs. He retired from weightlifting to become a professional wrestler in 1972. Tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Ken Patera was the special guest on the 100th episode of my podcast Dan and Benny In the Ring.
Jul 3, 2023 · In addition to being charismatic and clever, Ken Patera was tough as nails. And his unique ruggedness allowed him to endure not just the rigors of the ring but also his most unpredictable opponent, Mother Nature.
Olympic strongman Ken Patera demonstrates his amazing strength as he holds back a speeding truck with his legs!
Feb 11, 2024 · In this special edition of Real Heel Heat, I explore a remarkable 24-hour period in the life of one of wrestling’s most renowned villains. Ken Patera was a household name in the 1970s. As a weightlifter, Patera rose to prominence after winning multiple gold medals at the 1971 Pan American Games.
Official Autobiography.
Pat had the honor to talk to wrestling and Olympic legend Ken Patera during WrestleCon 2024 during WrestleMania weekend.
Read how Ken crushed competition and broke records everywhere. He hurled all Track & Field shot putters to the side. He pushed to the top of the weightlifting world winning countless medals in the Nationals, Pan Am Games and the Olympics – and was the first American to ever clean & jerk over 500 pounds.
Ken Patera secured four consecutive U.S. Weightlifting Championships from 1969 to 1972. Additionally, he earned the Gold Medal at the 1971 Pan American Games and achieved a notable second-place finish in the 1971 World Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru.
