WRESTLING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 3

WRESTLING

ATKINS AND SINGH DRAW INTERESTING DISPLAY The 1941 professional wrestling season opened last evening at the Theatre Royal with a drawn bout between Jaget Singh (India) and Fred Atkins (Australia). With cleverly applied and equally cleverly countered holds of orthodox wrestling urdiscriminately mixed with the jolts, punches, and general showmanship so popular with the audience, there were excitement and thrills in plenty. Atkins, at 17st 61b, was 11b heavier than Singh, and with a better build and several inches In height he had a physical advantage. combined with the ability to make it rough, that Singh had difficulty in countering. . , A profusion of forearm jolts with a powerful kick In the stomach to finish, left Singh dazed, and Atkins dumped him strongly to obtain the first fall m the fifth round. At various stages, after much effort and with immense satisfaction. Singh applied the Indian deathlock three times, but while Singh- expressed his delight to the crowd Atkins dodged smartly through his opponent s legs to freedom. However, with two minutes to go In the last round Singh again obtained the hold, and forced a submission fall. Japanese keylocks had Singh- In trouble several times, but a peculiar ability to deliver powerful kicks from however tangled a position, saved him from trouble, and enabled him to turn the tables with a diversity of holds. Singh, who appeared in bare feet, specialised In head scissors, lying and standing splits, crucifix and cradle holds. Taken as a whole It was a good bout. The referee was Mr J. Shaw. Results of preliminary amateur bouts were;— S. Purver (10st 61b) beat C. Lewis (9st 121b) on points. J. F. Genet (9st 71b) beat J. O'LougMin (9st 101b), one fall. In a light-heavy professional contest, refereed by Mr J. Shaw, R. Beasley (13st 61b) beat L. V. McEwen (13st 31b) by one fall,