JIU-JITSU AND BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 38, 14 February 1924, Page 8

JIU-JITSU AND BOXING.

JAPANESE CADETS ENTERTAINED. AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. An opportunity of seeing the jin-jitsu of the Japanese people as it reajly is was afforded a small European audience at the Town Hall last evening, when the Northern Boxing Association entertained several hundred midshipmen and sailors of the visiting Japanese squadron. The programme comprised several no-decision boxing bouts and exhibitions of jiu-jitsu and single sticks by th*e Orientals. On behalf of the Northern Boxing Association Mr. Fred Farrell welcomed the visitors. The boxing bouts were as follow: — Fly-weight. G. Cato v. J. O'Sullivan; welter-weight, Goodman v. Larry Lasher; feather-weight, McCarthy v. R. Trowern; light-weight, Armistiaw v. Wolfe; welter-weight, Harry May v. Jack Kecnan: the Donovan midgete, Stormont v. E. W. Scott (Wellington), Iverson v. Wcston. Jack Keenan's reappearance after about seventeen months' absence from the ring was warmly applauded by many old friends, who were glad to see that he is still capable of producing his old form. His bout with May was fast ■ and willing, evoking much a,pplausc from the visitors. In view of the contest between May and Lasher on Monday night the work of these two professionals was watched with interest, both being seen to advantage. Goodman, Lasher's opponent, made his first appearance before an audience, as did Stormont, who made a good showing against Scott, a clever Wellington amateur. The Japanese appeared to enjoy the faster passages of the bouts. The exhibitions of jiu-jitsu were appreciated by all. Tt was something of a revelation to the Europeans present. Two sturdily-built little men in the toughly-made. but loosely-hanging garments of the Japanese wrestler, took the stage, reverently bowing to each other. Then, advancing towards each other, they came to grips, each clutching the other by the edges of the costume, near the neck. With a turning movement too quick for the eye to follow, one would bo burled to the mat with a thud. This would happen before anyone could possibly re»l>se what had been done. Afterwards different falls were shown, the thrower retaining hold of his opponent after the fall, and applying painful leverage to his arms and legs, the floored one signalling that the joke had gone far enough by loudly tapping on his body with his free hand. The average European would not relish the prospect of being hurled over the head of an adversary, to sail through the air and land with a bang on the mat. only to stand up to be thrown with equal violence in another direction, but the little Japanese apparently thought it a great joke. * A duo of the jiu-jitsu experts demonstrated how it is possible to deal with a man who has some knowledge of boxing. They showed, too, how a man may be prevented from drawing a sword, how he may be deprived of the weapon, and how to avoid the blade after the blow has been launched. Another interesting exhibition was that showing bow an assailant from behind may be thrown over the head to land with such violence in front that, in the ordinary case, he would be rendered immediately hors de combat. The little men worked with great speed and accuracy, and were warmly applauded. An exhibition of single-sticks proved no less interesting. Wearing the necessary helmets and protective clotbine. the fencers set about each other with a will. With each blow the striker mouthed peculiar words'* of defiance, no doubt for the same reason as a bayonet fighter is taught to yell any wild cry that may occur to him as he charges his imaginary enemy. Kn time was wasted by the little Orientals, and after five minutes of thrilling activity each pair bowed to the ground, and retired amid applause.