Herman KRUUSENBERG

Herman Kruusenberg was born into family of farmers. He learned to wrestle as a child by watching the famous Georg Lurich train, who was born nearby and, when visiting his parents, often gave exhibitions to local boys. Kruusenberg soon rose to be the top Estonian light-heavyweight and heavyweight wrestler, though he never belonged to a wrestling club nor had a coach or regular sparring partner. He gained his strength by doing everyday work on his family farm and practiced wrestling in local tournaments. Kruusenberg was the Estonian light-heavyweight champion in 1921 and heavyweight champion in 1922 and 1923, winning all his titles in Greco-Roman. Kruusenberg also represented Estonia at the 1920 Olympic Games and the 1921 World Championships, but not very successfully. His only international medal came in 1923, when he won a bronze in Greco-Roman heavyweight at the Baltic Championships held in Göteborg, Sweden. Kruusenberg was also an active cross-country skier. After finishing his sporting career, Kruusenberg worked his family farm until his death in 1970. His son-in-law, Hendrik Toompere, Sr., and grandson, Hendrik Toompere, Jr., are famous actors in Estonia.