Gold Medal Wrestlers

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31781, 11 September 1968, Page 19

Gold Medal Wrestlers

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. Canterbury won three gold medals at the Australasian junior amateur wrestling championships at Sydney. One of the best performances of the tournament was that of R. Williams (Canterbury), representing the South Island. He wrestled brilliantly and with determination, winning all his bouts by falls. After beating B. Jeffries (New South Wales) and M. Pringle (Otago), he went on to gain two fine wins over S. Greig (Wellington) and R Fenton (Taranaki). Greig and Fenton finished in second and third places, respectively. K. McLoughlan (Canterbury) won two of his three bouts by falls, being taken to a points decision by L. Marusic

(N.S.W.) in an exciting contest, although he held control throughout. The third successful Canterbury wrestler was P. Ragg, who won the under 13st 101 b class. Ragg defeated R. O’Brien (Queensland), G. Wharfe (N.S.W.) and S. Ututonga (Bay of Plenty) by falls, showing a wide range of holds and good leverage in all his bouts. The North Island was successful in the under 12st 111 b class when D. Aspin (Auckland) defeated 1. Simpson (Otago) by a fall in the final. Aspin dominated a strong class of young wrestlers. One of the surprises of the tournament was the two defeats suffered by the AustraI lian junior champion, T. Haines (N.S.W.). An experienced wrestler, Haines, had won four Australian titles, but , was beaten by the eventual winner, F. Caparillo (Victoria), and K. Willis (Tara- , naki).

During the next two days the senior titles will be contested and the New Zealanders should be fully extended by the three Australian Olympic wrestlers. One of the contests expected to produce a high standard is that between R. Brown, voted the outstanding wrestler at the Australian championships last week, and N. Scott (Wairarapa).