ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 196, 18 August 1900, Page 4 (Supplement)

ATHLETICS.

Our London correspondent -writes, under date July 6th:— Stanley Rowley took part in the 100 yds Scratch Race decided at the Wolverhampton Charity Sports held at the Molineux Grounds on Saturday, July 3. His chief opponent Was R. W. Wadsley of the Unity A.C;, champion sprinter in 1899, and twixt them the race lay from tlie start. Rowley was best off the mark, and led Wadsley a yard at the half distance. Coming along strongly the Australian crack gained 'at every stride, and breasted the tape fully two yards ahead -of the Unity crack. The time of the winner was 10 2-ssecs, a performance that will have to be improved considerably if Rowley is to be returned winner of the A.A.A. 100 Yards Championship to be decided at Stamford Bridge to-morrow, when, in addition to Wadsley, Rowley will have in opposition two grand sprinters in Duffy and Tewkesbury of America. If these men are in proper shape and the weather is in favour of fast times the winner will in all probability have to beat lOsecs. «. -'

Vaucouver mail last week, says the "Bulletin," brought a huge surprise in the news that the Akron giant— Gus Ruhlin—-had badly beaten Sailor Sharkey, and, on his showing, looked

a sure conqueror of world's champion: Jeffries. The fight was of the fiercest, and Sharkey only succumbed after sustaining a terrific battering in 15 rounds of hurricane battle. Up to ; this Iluhlin ranked among third-raters in public estimation, but it turns oufc now that Pompadour Jim Corbett has been coaching him quietly for a long time. Six thousand people went to see Sharkey make a chopping-bloek. of Rublin, for he had settled him wifS one punch two years before. Ruhlin shaped amazingly' and showed great judgment. Straight lefts met the Sailor's rushes and bruised his face beyond recognition. Sharkey was blinded, and, to all intents and purposes, absolutely helpless when Ruhlin floored him first in the loth round. Five times subsequently the brokenup bull struggled up and charged only: to be sent back smash. Sharkey rushed all through the struggle and swung blows of fearful force, but none landed fair enough to do much hurt, while the enemy's smashes often jarred from' head to heel. Ruhlin —like the most accomplished of the Mace school—took' no chances in mixing unless forced to, and used the sinister mauley exclusively until he had his man where lie wanted him. Sharkey was literally) whipped to ribbons from the start. Ruhlin's display and the outcome created . a sensation and at latest, the winner was hot after Jeffries with, piles of dollars behind him. Ruhlin, did to Sharkey in 15 rounds what Jeffries failed to^do in 25 when the pair had that hair-raising, bashing battle some few months back.

The Japanese sporting reporter has yet, it seems, to be born. At present the gentlemen who essay this dangerous role in the Far East are still too complicated to be quite intelligible, though let it h& gratefully admitted, they add to the humour of a somewhat serious world. Here, for instance, is a gem in connection with some sports which took place at Sapporo..(say^ the, "Indian Sporting Times"). I haven't, the faintest idea where Sapporo is, but. that doesn't mattei'. The scribe says: "Mr. Taisuke Negishi carried off tlie palm of the. day. In the ' 100 yds dash* he came out second with 12.2 seconds;' in the ' quarter of a mile' he headed the list with 69 seconds; in the ! half. •X mile' he reached the goal first with. 2min 44sec; and in the 'one mile' he was third winner with 6min 30sec. Mr. Matsnkichi Uyenc's feat in the last race deserves special mention, he havinf covered the distance in 6min Ifisec." I can. imagine Mr. Norman Pritehard being not a little amusedat these "records." Certainly a runner who can cover a mile in 6min 10 pec does deserve special mention, and the Jnnanes» pppers are careful to see that he srets it. Actual winners do not seem to be very mnr>h commented on in Rannoro. but still for all that! T should imagine it to be *>"n excellent place to annex cups and things.