WRESTLERS’ TRAINING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25061, 18 December 1946, Page 9

WRESTLERS’ TRAINING

MEN FIT FOR SERVICE AT OUTBREAK OF WAR

The speed with which amateur wrestlers /ere accepted lor service overseas at the

outbreak of war was a tribute to their training and physical fitness, said the president of the Canterbury Wrestling As-

sociation (Mr R. E. Booker) at a complimentary dinner to wrestlers held last evening Mr Booker was proposing a

toast |to returned servicemen wrestlers. In all 21 wrestlers, members of clubs affiliated to the association, had served overseas, and apart from service in the field many had taken the opportunity to gain further experience in wrestling. One had been offered a large amount of money tu remain overseas and make

wrestling a career. The toast was replied to by Messrs J. A. Mclnnes and N. G. Smith, each of

whom emphasised that training received before the war had stood them in good stead during arduous times. Other toasts honoured were: ’’The King”; •‘Amateur Champions” (Mr A. P. Craig—Mr J. F. Genet); “Medical Officer and Staff” (Mr R. E. Hall-Dr. J. E. Saville and Mr T. Teape); “Canterbury Wrestling Association” (Mr J. Bruorton— Mr P R. Climie).

Cups and trophies won during the ,1946 season were presented as follows: Canterbury Championships.—Fly-weight, E. D. Kennedy (Shima’s Club); bantamweight, T. S. Kennedy (Shima’s); featherweight J. F Genet (Shima’s): lightweight, R. E; Smith (Shima’s); welterweight, J. A. Mclnnes (Crichton Cobbers' Club); middle-weight, T. Fahey (Shima’s); light heavy-weight, J. Howard (Shima’s); heavy-weight, N. G. Smith (Shima’s). Canterbury Schoolboy Championships.— Class winners: "sst 21b to sst 71b, B. I. Roberts (North Linwood); sst 81b to 6st, R, G. Tapper (Medbury); 6st 31b to 6st 71b, W Smith (Belfast); 7st 41b to 7st 111 b, W. Small (Belfast); 7st 121 b to 9st, W. J. Beaton (North Linwood); Bst 41b to 9st 81b. S. Crotty (Christchurch Technical College); 9st 131 b to 10st 21b, W. F. de Malmanche (Christchurch West High

’School); lost 71b to lOst 121 b, M. Sumerfield (North Linwood); list to list 61b, G. Pitcher (Christchurch West High School). Most scientific loser: G B. Roberts (North Linwood).

Runners-up in New Zealand championships: R. E. Smith (light-weight), J. Howard (light heavy-weight). N G. Smith (heavy-weight). Ellen Deighton Challenge Cup for most improved first year amateur, I. R. Atkinson, Walter J Watson Memorial Cup for most improved amateur, J. Howard; Haifas Jarproof Cup for most scientific exhibition by Canterbury wrestler at New Zealand championships, N. G. Smith; RL. Kennett Memorial Cup for best sportsmanship inside and outside ring, L. J. Genet; R E. Booker Cup for most scientific exhibition at Canterbury schoolboy championships, S. Crotty; R. E. Hall Cup for most scientific exhibition at Canterbury schoolboy championships by primary schoolboy, B. I. Roberts.