15 Facts About Gus Kallio

Gustav Kallio was born as August Hassinen the son of Isakki and Fredrika Hassinen in 1891 in Karttula, Finland.

Gus Kallio immigrated to the United States with his brother Issac Hassinen in 1913 when both were in their early 20s.

Gus Kallio was about 15 years old when Gus Kallio and his father attended a professional wrestling event that featured Billy Sandow, a successful middleweight wrestler that participated in Barnstorming tours.

Gus Kallio's conditioning earned him the nickname "the Finnish strong boy".

On October 3,1921, Gus Kallio defeated Jack Reynolds to win the National Wrestling Association's World Welterweight Championship.

Gus Kallio retained the title through at least 1923, earning the nickname "the Welterweight King".

Gus Kallio later proved his incredible condition when he wrestled Henry Jones in a three-hour match before winning the bout.

In 1930 Gus Kallio defeated both Ralph Parquat and Ray Carpenter, two of the top Middleweights in the United States to become recognized as the World Middleweight Champion.

In 1933 the NWA confirmed that Gus Kallio was still the "king of the middleweights" and imposed a $500 bond for promoters wishing to book Kallio.

Just like when he held the Welterweight title, Gus Kallio travelled the United States facing local Middleweight competitors.

Gus Kallio defended and lost both the NWA and the Mexican version of the World Middleweight title to Octavio Gaona on February 19,1939, which was the last time he would hold a wrestling championship.

Gus Kallio was still an active wrestler as late as the early 1950s.

Gus Kallio was involved in operating a roller skate rink and Finnish-style steam baths.

Gus Kallio sold his business interests after suffering a stroke in 1959.

Gus Kallio died of self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 2,1962, at his home.