Richard Sandrak
Encyclopedia
Richard Sandrak also known as Little Hercules, is a Ukrainian
-born, American bodybuilder, martial artist
and actor, renowned for his muscular physique at an extremely young age. He is probably best known for his appearance in the documentary The World's Strongest Boy, which has been shown on several TV channels across the world, and for his dedication to bodybuilding.
However, this diehard ambition for achieving such a perfect body was not totally self-motivated. His father, Pavel Sandrak, a martial arts
world champion, and his mother, Lena Sandrak, an aerobics
competitor, both pushed their son to the limit to become a child prodigy. At the age of two Richard and his family moved from a small village in Ukraine
to the United States where his training began. His parents started him out with light exercises and martial arts
techniques which soon progressed into more intense bodybuilding
training. Experts are almost unanimous in their observations that Richard was almost certainly on some sort of anabolic steroid, but Richard and his parents vehemently deny this. At the age of six Richard was maxing out at 180 lbs on standard bench-press, during this early age he claimed his title as world’s strongest boy as well as his nickname “little Hercules”. As his reputation precedes him, at the age of eight he was bench pressing 210 lbs. The young boy had become a world-wide icon as he began traveling across the country taking place in competitions, promos for nutrition products, as well as photo shots for numerous magazines. He also appeared on several TV and radio station broadcasts, one being The Howard Stern Show. As he got older his career slowly died down. His most recent Hollywood debut was a casting role in the 2009 film, “Little Hercules”. Richard, being in his late teens still trains hard, but after being separated from his father he has cut his training down to four days a week 90 minutes a day.
. His parents decided he would have a much better life living in the United States, therefore moving to Pennsylvania
when Richard was two years old. Richard began his training soon after they arrived in the states. His father being a master of Taekwondo introduced him to various stretches and light weight training when he was at a young age. By the age of five, Richard had mastered Taekwondo
and set higher goals to become one of the strongest human beings in the world. In 1997, Richard and his family moved to California with hopes for Richard’s career taking off. Richard’s father took him to see fitness trainer and performer Frank Giardina, and his wife, Sherry, a former Ms. Fitness America to help with Richard’s career " The World's Strongest Boy Young Bodybuilder Tells of Isolated Childhood. In shock, once seeing Richard’s outstanding physique, Frank thought of it to be untrue "At first I thought, "Is this a midget? Or is this some kind of a trick photography," he said. After choreographing a snazzy routine Richard almost instantly became famous. The boy began appearing in magazines and on television. He endorsed a line of supplements and became the main attraction at bodybuilding events such as Mr. Olympia, Night of Champions, Mr. USA, the Emerald Cup, and one of the biggest there is, the Arnold Classic among many other. Now that he is older Richard is pursuing a career in acting. He has already starred in a few roles, one of them being the main character in the Hollywood movie, “Little Hercules”. However, now at the age of 19 his astonishing physique has been lost after his father, who, as many believe, was the boy’s driving force to work out, was put in jail
for abusing Richard’s mother. Although Richard continues to work out 6 days a week, 120 minutes a day, he has lost his once claimed title as “The World’s Strongest Boy”
, enforced by his father, Richard was never able to eat junk food or any sweets. Richard recalls days when his father would eat pizza
in front of him, while he was left to eat a head of lettuce. Richard’s father was taken away from their family after being charged with abuse
of his mother. Richard claims his father never forced him into bodybuilding
. "I've never been forced to train or do anything against my will," he said. "My parents used to train all the time and I wanted to join in. It was mostly my choice. It's just what I grew up doing. I was never forced. It was never an issue"
Richard recently graduated from Yutan High School and is currently attending San Diego State University.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
-born, American bodybuilder, martial artist
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and actor, renowned for his muscular physique at an extremely young age. He is probably best known for his appearance in the documentary The World's Strongest Boy, which has been shown on several TV channels across the world, and for his dedication to bodybuilding.
However, this diehard ambition for achieving such a perfect body was not totally self-motivated. His father, Pavel Sandrak, a martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
world champion, and his mother, Lena Sandrak, an aerobics
Aerobics
Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness...
competitor, both pushed their son to the limit to become a child prodigy. At the age of two Richard and his family moved from a small village in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
to the United States where his training began. His parents started him out with light exercises and martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
techniques which soon progressed into more intense bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
training. Experts are almost unanimous in their observations that Richard was almost certainly on some sort of anabolic steroid, but Richard and his parents vehemently deny this. At the age of six Richard was maxing out at 180 lbs on standard bench-press, during this early age he claimed his title as world’s strongest boy as well as his nickname “little Hercules”. As his reputation precedes him, at the age of eight he was bench pressing 210 lbs. The young boy had become a world-wide icon as he began traveling across the country taking place in competitions, promos for nutrition products, as well as photo shots for numerous magazines. He also appeared on several TV and radio station broadcasts, one being The Howard Stern Show. As he got older his career slowly died down. His most recent Hollywood debut was a casting role in the 2009 film, “Little Hercules”. Richard, being in his late teens still trains hard, but after being separated from his father he has cut his training down to four days a week 90 minutes a day.
Career
Richard was born April 15, 1992, in a small village in UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. His parents decided he would have a much better life living in the United States, therefore moving to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
when Richard was two years old. Richard began his training soon after they arrived in the states. His father being a master of Taekwondo introduced him to various stretches and light weight training when he was at a young age. By the age of five, Richard had mastered Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
and set higher goals to become one of the strongest human beings in the world. In 1997, Richard and his family moved to California with hopes for Richard’s career taking off. Richard’s father took him to see fitness trainer and performer Frank Giardina, and his wife, Sherry, a former Ms. Fitness America to help with Richard’s career " The World's Strongest Boy Young Bodybuilder Tells of Isolated Childhood. In shock, once seeing Richard’s outstanding physique, Frank thought of it to be untrue "At first I thought, "Is this a midget? Or is this some kind of a trick photography," he said. After choreographing a snazzy routine Richard almost instantly became famous. The boy began appearing in magazines and on television. He endorsed a line of supplements and became the main attraction at bodybuilding events such as Mr. Olympia, Night of Champions, Mr. USA, the Emerald Cup, and one of the biggest there is, the Arnold Classic among many other. Now that he is older Richard is pursuing a career in acting. He has already starred in a few roles, one of them being the main character in the Hollywood movie, “Little Hercules”. However, now at the age of 19 his astonishing physique has been lost after his father, who, as many believe, was the boy’s driving force to work out, was put in jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
for abusing Richard’s mother. Although Richard continues to work out 6 days a week, 120 minutes a day, he has lost his once claimed title as “The World’s Strongest Boy”
Personal life
During his childhood, Richard was isolated from the world. Dedicating all of his time towards training, Richard never had time to play with friends and experience a true childhood. Being on a strict dietDiet (nutrition)
In nutrition, diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. Dietary habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing what foods to eat. With the word diet, it is often implied the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight-management...
, enforced by his father, Richard was never able to eat junk food or any sweets. Richard recalls days when his father would eat pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
in front of him, while he was left to eat a head of lettuce. Richard’s father was taken away from their family after being charged with abuse
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...
of his mother. Richard claims his father never forced him into bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
. "I've never been forced to train or do anything against my will," he said. "My parents used to train all the time and I wanted to join in. It was mostly my choice. It's just what I grew up doing. I was never forced. It was never an issue"
Richard recently graduated from Yutan High School and is currently attending San Diego State University.
External links
- http://pakway.blogspot.com/2009/09/richard-sandrak-worlds-strongest-boy.html
- http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=570290
- http://www.kidzworld.com/article/5566-the-worlds-strongest-boy
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2105055/bio
- http://www.zimbio.com/Richard+Sandrak/articles/jjbNlzkuLjk/Richard+Sandrak+Transitioning+Normal+Life
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1AIyV3FEiw