Isaac Berger, known as Ike, who won three Olympic medals, six World Championships (twice winning gold), and eight U.S. national championships in weightlifting during the 1950s and ‘60s, died June 4.

Berger is remembered for his feats of strength, performing massive lifts while competing in the featherweight class. He was the first featherweight in history to lift more than 800 pounds in the snatch and clean and jerk events. Also, he was the first American featherweight to press double his bodyweight.

At the 1957 Maccabiah Games, Berger was the first athlete to break a world record in any sport in Israel. His gold medal was presented by Israeli Prime Minister David Bens Gurion, who called Berger the “gibor Yehudi” or “mighty Jew.” He was inducted into the U.S. Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1965 and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.