Joe Tonti was one of the
most versatile athletes ever produced in Beaver County, but he most
famous as a professional strongman. His ability to perform
feats of strength while standing or walking on his hands earned him
the title of “Upside Down Man” and he received national recognition in
such syndicated national newspaper cartoon features as Robert
Ripley’s “Believe It or Not”, John Hicks’ “Strange as It Seems”, and
Paul Roberts’ “World Wonders.” His upside down tricks performed while standing on his hands
included pulling an 11,500 pound truck, two freight cars walking
down 143 flights of steps, and balancing a 175 pound weight on the
back of his neck. Joe was a professional wrestler for fifteen
years and also boxed professionally and served as a sparring partner
for heavyweight champ Max Baer and light heavyweight champ Tommy Loughren.
Joe also competed in diving, swimming, and gymnastics
against Olympic and World Champions. He wrote two books, one on
“Care of the Body” and the other on Jui Jitsu, and he was a lecturer,
school teacher, actor, and stage producer. Joe starred in football
and track at Midland High School (1923-1927), Geneva College (1928),
and Temple University (1931-1933). He died in 1959 at the age of 51
after a 33 year athletic career that was nothing short of amazing.
Joe Tonti was one of the
most versatile athletes ever produced in Beaver County, but he most
famous as a professional strongman. His ability to perform
feats of strength while standing or walking on his hands earned him
the title of “Upside Down Man” and he received national recognition in
such syndicated national newspaper cartoon features as Robert
Ripley’s “Believe It or Not”, John Hicks’ “Strange as It Seems”, and
Paul Roberts’ “World Wonders.” His upside down tricks performed while standing on his hands
included pulling an 11,500 pound truck, two freight cars walking
down 143 flights of steps, and balancing a 175 pound weight on the
back of his neck. Joe was a professional wrestler for fifteen
years and also boxed professionally and served as a sparring partner
for heavyweight champ Max Baer and light heavyweight champ Tommy Loughren.
Joe also competed in diving, swimming, and gymnastics
against Olympic and World Champions. He wrote two books, one on
“Care of the Body” and the other on Jui Jitsu, and he was a lecturer,
school teacher, actor, and stage producer. Joe starred in football
and track at Midland High School (1923-1927), Geneva College (1928),
and Temple University (1931-1933). He died in 1959 at the age of 51
after a 33 year athletic career that was nothing short of amazing.