THE REMARKABLE life of Australian strongman and wrestler Otto Acron is well documented online, so I felt ready when we met, just after his ninetieth birthday.
He was born Alexander James Alsop in Sydney on May 12, 1935, to Lily Elizabeth and James Gess Alsop and had two brothers.
Otto would one day become known worldwide by his stage name.
As a boy, Otto devoured Superman and Captain Marvel comics and was inspired by legendary strongmen like Tromp Van Diggelen and Australian Don Athaldo.
Early on, he dreamed of following in their footsteps and would one day perform many of Athaldo’s famous feats, earning his own place in strength history.
At twelve, Otto told his dad he wanted to be a wrestler after attending a match with him at Sydney’s Leichhardt Stadium.
By twenty-one, he was wrestling there himself. “If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way,” he says.
At fourteen, his dream nearly ended after a friendly boxing match left him with a broken nose and a bruised brain.
“I wasn’t a boxer; I was a wrestler,” said Otto, “It took years to recover, but I was determined.”
He began strongman feats by bending nails and having rocks smashed on his chest with a sledgehammer.
By 1955, he toured NSW as a circus strongman and wrestler in boxing tents, gaining invaluable experience.
In 1959, Otto aimed for Bullens Circus—but first had to prove himself by carrying a 450kg horse up a 14ft ladder, replicating a legendary stunt by strongman William Pagel.
He built the ladder and platform himself and trained with a pony before nailing the feat with a palomino.
This became his signature act, performed over 2,000 times.
Asked why he loved strongman stunts, Otto laughs, “I think I liked to show off.
“Lifting weights didn’t look impressive, but lifting people or cars?
That got attention. Same weight, bigger impact.”
He has had appearances on shows like the Mike Walsh Show, where he recalls lifting a mini car with his legs in a dangerous stunt.
In the ’60s, Otto toured internationally with circuses and wrestling shows in South Africa, England, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
He realised a longtime dream in 1971 by pulling two planes in a tug of war at Rotterdam Airport.
His final record-breaking plane pull took place in Hervey Bay many years later, earning him a Guinness World Record.
In 1985, Otto won Mr. Australia after a standout 1984, taking Masters titles in Mr. Sydney, Mr. Oceania, and Mr. Southern Hemisphere.
He also became state and national powerlifting champion in the 82.5kg class.
Otto moved his family to Hervey Bay in 1995 and opened Otto’s Fitness World.
“I thought people would know me from my stunts,” he laughs.
“Then I got run over by cars out front—great gym promo!”
He ran the gym for a decade.
“Owning a gym was a dream come true.”
Otto inspired many.
At 70, he did 1,125 push-ups in 30 minutes to raise money for a boy needing a motorised wheelchair.
On November 12, 2000, Otto was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, honouring his lasting impact on Australian sport, a proud and well-deserved recognition.
When asked if there was a feat he wished he’d tried, Otto said, “Old-time strongman Cannonball Richards stood in front of a cannon and took a cannonball to the chest, flying back into a net.
I always wanted to try that.”
Otto is private about his personal life but loves sharing stories from his career, he has written his autobiography, Strongman, which is a great read!
You can also watch his videos on YouTube.
Otto sometimes partners with friend Michael Green, owner of Integrated Development Academy, around charity events, including a run for Parkinson’s that Otto sponsored, having lived with Parkinson’s for 25 years.
Here is a man who hasn’t just lived a life, he has truly lived, embracing every moment with passion and purpose.
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine
