George Gordienko

George Gordienko
Personal information
Born(1928-01-07)January 7, 1928
DiedMay 13, 2002(2002-05-13) (aged 74)
Professional wrestling career
Ring nameGeorge Gordienko
Billed height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Billed weight260 lb (120 kg; 19 st)
Trained byJoe Pazandak
Stu Hart
Debut1946
Retired1976

George Gordienko (January 7, 1928 – May 13, 2002) was a Canadian professional wrestler and artist. Born of first generation Ukrainian and Cossack-Canadian parents in North Winnipeg, Manitoba, by age 17 Gordienko had received numerous awards for his physical prowess. He wrestled from 1946 to 1976 and was, according to Lou Thesz and other experts, one of the top legitimate wrestlers in the world. He was rated the best heavyweight wrestler in the UK in 1963, and in 1970, won the annual Royal Albert Hall tournament in London. After his retirement he became a successful artist.