George Gordienko was from Canada and grew up 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 United Kingdom in 1963, and in 1970, won the annual Royal Albert Hall tournament in London. After his retirement he became a successful artist. George Gordienko died on May 13, 2002.