HOW GOTCH BEAT HACKENSCHMIDT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 7

HOW GOTCH BEAT HACKENSCHMIDT.

RUSSIAN UNTRAINED. CHICAGO, September 4. The great wrestling contest between Prank Goteh, the American champion, and George Ilackenschmidt, the Russian Lion, took place to-day. Immense interest was taken in the event, and the Baseball Park, where tlie contest was decided, was not large enough to accommodate the crowd. As it was, 30,000 were around the arena at 2 o'clock, while there _ were 40,000 outside clamouring for admission. It'was feared that there would be trouble. The police, however, were well represented, and kept tlie crowd in check. While the crowd waited for the champions to appear there were rumours flying around to the effect that the referee would officially declare bets off. It was reported everywhere that Hackensehmidt was untrained, and iu apparent substantiation of this report tho Russian's friends seemed reluctant to wager. Goteh was accompanied by his manager, Klank, Farmer Burns, and Westerguard Rogers. Immediately upon entering tho arena, Goteh, catching sight of his wife and aged mother, who occupied a box, moved to them. Tlie Chief of Police, McSweeney, lost no time in declaring that all bets were off. Goteh appeared nervous. The reports with regard to Hackenschmidt's condition were to a certain extent confirmed when he made his appearance, inasmuch as he had a visible corporation. • After sparring for holds, the Russian .tried a trip, but Goteh was too quick, and with a leg hold dropped the Russian on to his face. Regaining his feet quickly, sclim'idt manoeuvred, and got behind his opponent, with the result that ho momentarily threw Goteh. Both men. assumed a crouching attitude, and they sparred for an opening. Ilackenschmidt rushed in and attempted to turn Goteh over with a trip. Tho American's alertness, however, enabled him to secure Hackensclimidt's foot. He stood him o:i). his head, the crowd yelling and cheering their countryman on. Simultaneous with this act G-oteh's right hand sought tho Russian's leg, while his left hand closed like a tenaele on his right wrist. Then a reverse body-lock-wrist-hold won the first fall for Goteh. The bout had lasted 14min 15sec, and the crowd was almost hysterical in its delight. After the handshake it was apparent that Goteh was more confident, while •Ilackenschmidt changed his tactics. He set about to wear Goteh down by his bull-like strength. The effort induced roughness, arid each man bore traces of the struggle. In five and a-half minutes of strenuous effort on the part of each man Goteh secured the famous toe hold, which in the previous contest had so disconcerted the Russian, and which it is declared has never been broken by any man. The Russian Lion failed to counter the dreadful hold, and in a few seconds had signalled his defeat. The second fall was, therefore, Goteh's, and he was declared the winner to the accompaniment of tumultous cheering. Goteh demonstrated his superiority throughout tho contest in every turn ana twist. The explanation of the decisive defeat of tho Lion rested on the fact that Goteh was trained to nicety, whilst his opponent was hog fat. Jack Curley, the manager of Hackenschmidt, declared that his man was injured as tho result of the toe hold, tho ligaments being so badly torn 'by Goteh's iron grip that, lie was compelled to quit.