Track cyclist Robert 'Thighs' Förstemann takes on strongmen in weightlifting challenge (video)
Can German track sprinter Robert Förstmann and his legendary thighs beat challengers from the world of powerlifting? He doesn't let the side down...
German track cycling sprinter Robert Förstemann is perhaps as well known for his enormous thighs as he is for his race results.
The 29-year-old former sprint world champion recently got the opportunity to see how his impressive power stacked up against a selection of powerlifters and strongmen in a challenge organised by YouTube channel Body Building Rev. And he did not let the side down.
All five contestants had to achieve as many squats as they could in a five-minute period - lifting a minimum weight of 85kg. To give that some perspective, Förstemann himself weighed in at the start of the challenge at 95.4kg.
Like all track sprinters, Förstemann regularly works on his power in the gym and is no stranger to squats. However, he faced opposition in the form of several pure powerlifters from Germany and Russia, and admitted that he usually only squats for one minute.
What is evident during the video is that Förstemann tackles the challenge with a measured approach, rather than doing as many as possible and as quickly as possible, and then blowing.
We won't spoil how he does - you'll have to enjoy the video. But be warned that it contains rock music, whooping and skull graphics.
Förstemann put his 74cm thighs to use last year in a challenge to see if he could power a 700w toaster via a static bike for long enough to make decent toast.
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Förstemann is in action at this weekend's (January 16-17) final UCI Track World Cup round in Hong Kong as he aims for selection to represent Germany in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
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