Wrestler’s brave win

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 24

Wrestler’s brave win

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Determination and a will to win gave the Bay of Plenty wrestler, J. Downey, the 2201 b title in the New Zealand Wrestling championships on Saturday. Downey, who has previously won Australian and New Zealand middle-weight

titles, pulled a ligament in his right knee in a preliminary bout and at (>ne stage it was feared he would have to withdraw.

However, he won his way into the final against the Aucklander, L. Thompson, and although limping badly, he outwrestled and outlasted his opponent and won narrowly on points. Several tinles the bout was stopped while the referee

.examined Downey, but each time the Bay of Plenty wrestler returned to his feet and continued. Once, in the third round, Downey appeared to be in such pain that it seemed most unlikely he could return, but after three minutes he was back again. Afterwards, Downey said that he realised he should noti have wrestled, but he knew] ]he had the ability to win the title and was determined to: do so, “no matter what.” The general standard of wrestling was disappointing, with too many of the finalists trying to force their opponents into conceding

penalty points rather than trying for clean bonus points.! The title-winners were: : SENIOR 11411 b: B. McMahon (Auckland); runner-up, A. Stead (Auckland). 12541 b: B. Stannett (Wellington); runner-up, K. Breeze (Auckland). 13541 b: J. Rogers (Wellington); runner-up, E. Pennington (Central). 149 Jib: J. Rowe (Central); runner-up, W. Le Haauve. 1631 b: J. Stanley (Southland); runner-up, J. Frost (Wellington). IBOJlb: D. Aspin (Auckland); runner-up, G. Walker (Auckland).

1981 b: K. Mcßeth (Aucklanc runner-up, N. Sargent (Wa. rarapa). 2201 b: J. Downey (Bay oi Plenty); runner-up, L. Thompson (Auckland). Over 2201 b: T. Milat (Auck land); runner-up, K. Miller (Wei lington). JUNIOR 10511 b: S. Cox (Wellington); runner-up, M. Blackburn (Central). 11411 b: S. White (Central) runner-up, R. Hinks (Hawke’t i Bay-Poverty Bay). I 1231 b: D. Dalton (Central); run-ner-up, J. Kirk (Auckland). 1321 b: R. Blue (Central); run ner-up, T. Lowe (Wellington). 1431 b: A. Roache (Waikato); runner-up, P. Dailey (Central). 1541 b: R. Metcalfe (Central); runner-up, N. Webster (Wellington). 1651 b: M. Ta Tau (Walrarapa); runner-up, R. Hoffman (Otago). 1781 b: L. Anstls (Wellington): runner-up, N. Avery (Auckland) 1911 b: C. Vincent (Wellington) runner-up, C. Hill (Auckland).