Reuven Helman
Born1927
DiedJuly 11, 2013 (aged 86)
Paris
Nationality Israel
Known forMaccabi Olympian
War Veteran
Weightlifting Champion
Track and Field Champion
Grenade Flinging
ChildrenNoava, Aryela and Hedva[1]

Reuven Helman (Hebrew: ראובן הלמן; 1927 – July 11, 2013) was a former Maccabiah Olympian recognized as a weightlifting champion, distinguished athlete in Track and Field,[1] the Decathlon and for his career as an athletic instructor.[2] He competed in shot-put and javelin. Helman came in second in 1957 in the International Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, and had also competed in 1953.[1][3]

Personal life

Helman became an adherent of the Chabad Lubavitch Movement after visiting its spiritual head, Rabbi Menachem M. Schnerson.[1] He attributed his strength to kosher eating, clean living and exercise.[4]

Military service

Helman fought in Israeli's 1948 war of independence and was dubbed the “human cannon” for his ability to fling grenades over 75 meters when army supplies were short.[4] He also received a war medal for his service in World War II.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Israeli Weight-Lifting Champion Took a Taxi to the Front Lines". Jewish Exponent. June 7, 1963. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  2. Berger, Ch. (Sports Director) (March 22, 1953). "Official Letter about Mr. Helman". "Maccabi" Sports Organisation. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  3. "Reuven Helman, 86, OBM". Community News Service. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 Leabman, Sol (August 8, 1963). "From Here and There: Times' Bits". The Jewish Times. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  5. "War Medal - Signed Document: for service in 1939-1945 War". Ministry of Defense: The Army Medal Office. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
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