PROTESTS ENTERED

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 9

PROTESTS ENTERED

WRESTLING JUDGES

ALLEGED INCOMPETENCE

BERLIN, August 3.

The Australian Associated Press special correspondent at Berlin reports that the British, Canadian, and American wrestling managers have protested to the president of the International Wrestling Federation against the judges who gave a verdict in favour of the Italian Romagnoli against the Australian Garrard in the lightweight division. The decision was not taken so much in the interests of Australia as in the fear that their own men may be judged by the same officials, who are a Hungarian, an Austrian, and a Czech oslovakian. Both Canadians and Americans say, that they could not believe their eyes wh'en all three lights showed in favour of Romagnoli. It is suggested that the judges .pressed the wrong buttons but it is difficult to imagine all. three making the same error. The points score shows 13i to 1J against Garratd. The decision apparently cannot be overruled but the Canadians and Americans are seeking suspension of the three judges on the ground of incompetence. PARTIALITY NOT SUGGESTED. The judges' system appears to show that Garrard was penalised for achieving holds and staying on top in | a manner which would have won him points in Australia." There is no suggestion of partiality on the part of the judges. The Australian manager, Mr. Alderson, said: "Nobody in the world at his weight could beat Garrard by 13J to 1J points." He is investigating the theory that the points were awarded I opposite to the judges' intentions.

In the first heat of the light-heavy-weight wrestling, Scarf (Australia) beat Maurice Beke (Belgium) by a fall after 12J minutes. Scarf was aggressive from the outset. His superiority was marked, and he finally pinned his opponent, with a body press.