N.Z. wrestler loses first-round bout

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 31

N.Z. wrestler loses first-round bout

PA Seoul An Auckland builder, Steve Reinsfield, lost his first-round bout to the East German Karsten Polky after being disqualified for passive wrestling in an Olympic 62kg contest yesterday. V Both wrestlers wire on two cautions, . with the

East German 6-1 ahead on points, when Reinsfield fell backwards while trying to kick out of a leg hold. The extra caution saw him disqualified after smin 335. Polky was runner-up in the European championships to Russia’s'fetep Sarkissian last year.

Reinsfield ' appears headed for early elimination from the B group as he also drew Sarkissian in the second round. Under the rules of the competition a wrestler is eliminated after two losing bouts. The wrestling manager, Andrew Roche, said Reinsfield had an unlucky

draw. “We’re disappointed. We went through the 28 entries in the weight. There were 16 he could definitely beat and another four or five he’d have a good chance with. Unfortunately he had to strike the two best,” Roehe said. Favoured to win the

event is the United States Open titleholder, John Smith, who won the Pan American Games, the Olympic Festival ’B7 and the world championships in a five-week period last year.

The draw for New Zealand’s other competitor, Brent Hollamby i J(s7kg), will be finalised today.