Bodybuilders - Part 33b

Deriaz Brothers, part 2

Yesterday we looked at Adrien Deriaz.  Today we look at his six brothers who were all born in Switzerland in the late 1800s and then moved to France to become strongmen and wrestlers.

Maurice Deriaz (1885-1974) was one of the most famous of the brothers.  Above, he does the one-armed "clean and jerk" with a 228 pound weight, setting a new record.  He was also a wrestler, beating 44 opponents in a row to win a Greco-Roman wrestling tournament.

Above, Maurice in a photo by Deruchin.  I got the photo from Vintage Muscle Men (thanks, Jerry).

Maurice was a favorite model for Gustave Courtois, as I reported in an earlier post about that artist, and the strongman and artist may have been lovers.  Above, Maurice was the model for Paradise Lost by Courtois.

The other famous Deriaz brother was the oldest brother, Emile (1879-1939), above.  He could perform a standing broad jump of more than 10 feet.

Emile set a record of 193 pounds in the one hand swing weightlifting event.

Photos of the other brothers are scarce.  Above, Jules Deriaz.  The photo was labeled "Jules Deriaz, leveur de poids" (weightlifter).

Octave Deriaz.  The caption means "champion of light weights."

Above, brothers Ulysse (at left) and Maurice (at right) with Ulysse's son Samson.  I got this from Vintage Muscle Men (thanks, Jerry).

There was a seventh brother, Florian.  I was unable to find any photos or information about him.

We end with some photos that Paul Richer took of Adrien Deriaz (at right) and two of his brothers.  The brothers were not identified, but the one at left looks like Octave, and the one in the center looks like Maurice.

And here is Paul Richer's rear view of the three Deriaz brothers.  Photo from Vintage Muscle Men (thanks, Jerry).