Alfred JOCHIM

Al Jochim won more championships than any other American gymnast in the pre-World War II era. He six times won the all-around title, in 1925-30 and 1933, but he won at least one national title on each apparatus, something no other American could claim in that era. Overall he won 35 national championships, eight of them, including seven consecutive, in his best event, floor exercise. Jochim worked with the New York Telephone Company for many years. With his outstanding record and long career, he was a driving force in making the Swiss Turnverein of Hudson County, New Jersey the most successful gymnastics team in U.S. He also had some artistic talent, and illustrated compulsory exercises for national publications. In Berlin 1936, at his fourth Olympic Games, Jochim was selected as flagbearer for United States at the Opening Ceremony.