THE SPORTING WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 14535, 10 December 1910, Page 11

THE SPORTING WORLD

[From Ode London Cohrespondent.] October 28. ATHLETES AND CORRECT BREATHING. In a very long association with athletes, the writor can only recall ono who makes a point of breathing through the- nose during a race. Just as soon as a man' feels "the pinch," open comes the month, and the breath is taken in by gasps. This is 60 general that athletes have taken it for granted tliat it is the proper thing to do E. Voigt is the exception to the rule, and his practice of breathing. through the nose creates a good doal of comment among the few who make athletics a closo study. Tho writer recently had tho pleasure of meeting a gentleman who has made breathing a life study and is a great authority on tho subject. Tho gentleman in question is the Rev. A. Allen Barratt, of Claygate, Surrey, and alter listening to his view one is forced to conclude that athletes are entirely wrong in their method of breathing during a contest. —The Nasal Organ's Duty.— Many of us recognise that the nasal organs are for the purposo of wanning, filtering, and cleansing tho air before it enters the lunge. Under great exertion most people cannot tako in air fast enough through tho nose, and so open the mouth. Tho inability of many to breatho entirely through the nose under trying conditions is because the organ has gradually grown smaller under civilisation. The proof of this is seen in comparison with the nose of the negro and that of tho average white man. The Rev. Allen Barratt contends that the average man only takes in twothirds tho quantity of air through the nostril he should, owing to tho all-round shrinkage of the aire. He has devised a simple little contrivance- to remedy matters which ho calls the "albar," and Us purpose is to open the alse (or intake), fo that air can enter tho nostril in greater volume. The writer has no hesitation in saying that he believes Mr Barratt will be directly responsible for tho breaking of many records, for tho benefit of taking in increased oxygen before and during a race must bo plain to all. What is of more importance is the fact that tho air will enter the lunge via the proper course, and not through the mouth. This will naturally be more healthful, and athletes, evclists, oarsmen, swimmers, etc., will not suffer from that horrible feeling caused by a dry tongue and mouth, which many experience in a trying contest when breathing through the mouth. The writer hopes to return to this subject again, after he has carried out some experiments ho has in mind; but lie is alreadv satisfied that the correct way to breathe is through tho nose alone, and that, athletes will be considerably and agreeably surprised when they go into the matter. It must not bo supposed that sportsmen alone will find benefit from proper breathing; indeed, it is the nou-athlcte who mostly requires to study the matter. If everyone breathed through the nose (some authorities declare only half the population do so) wo should soon fee a rapid decline in consumption, influenza, and colds, as it is doubtful if tho microbes which spread these ailments ever enter tho lungs through tho nostril. Jt will thus be seen that correct breathing is a vastly important matter, and just as soon as athletes tako up tho matter, and beat records in consequenco (as they will), the general public wiLl recognise tho importance of tho subject, fcr the good of all. THE FRUITS OF ENTERPRISE.

The ninny lino performances at the recent athletic championships of America show what may be done by enterprise. Tho promotion of junior as well as senior championships appears to have done a lot of good, and other countries (England in particular) should profit by the example. Such grand performances as 6ft 2in for the high jump, 12ft lin for tho pole vault, 49ft lin for tho shot put, 135 ft 6in for the discus, 165 ft lin for the javelin, and 48t't for the hop, step, and jump are wonderful, and indicate how the enter - priso of tho authorities across the Atlantic in promoting these- events has homo fruit. Tho hop, step, and jump, javelin, and discus find no place on the English championship programme, and the pole vault is only exploited once a year; so the faduro of English athletes in these events is not surprising. BILLIARDS.

Although 11. W. Stevoason by no means played up to his proper form, he managed to beat M. Inman by 1,093 points in their match for the billiard championship. It looked as though a much closer struggle would have- been seen, when only a matter of a decent break divided the rivals on the opening of tbe last day's play. Inman, however, failed to finish in Jus usual dashing style, and only made 858 to Stevenson's 1,499. The winner averaged 37.15 for tho entire match, and 49.73 and 68.18 for the afternoon and evening sessions on tho final day. Inman's average for tho match came out at 3,497. The later mado the highest, breaks—473 and 470, Stevenson's best being 417, 415, and 404. Tho Lord Chief Justice of England presented the cup to Stevenson at the close, and in doing so said he had seen all the best playors daring the past forty or fifty years, and considered the present champion "(in his best form) was the finest player of all. Stevenson is now trying to concede Inman 1,000 points in an exhibition match of 9,000 up at Hull, and unless he does something remarkable, will probably fail, as Inman actually gained during the firet half of tho game. FOOTBALL.

Tho meeting of Harlequins and United Services at Twickenham on Saturday provided one of the most interesting "Hugger" matches seen in tho London district tor a long time. Tho Services' team was almost entiiely composed of navid men, the famous Lyon being at full-back. Tho Harlequin forwards played much better than they recently did against London Scottish, and only the splendid defence of the Services saved tho situation. The Services scored early in tho game, and eventually won by 5 points to 0, though everyone admitted the Harlequins had a bit tho best of matters in all save tho important one of scorinif.

Next to tile Harlequins y. Services match, the meeting between Richmond and London Scottish aroused most interest. Knowing the merit of the Scots' forwards, Richmond made special eli'oit to get a powerful pack together, and the result was surprising, as the London Scottish were beaten at their own game. Tho outcome of the two matches referred to makes the situation in the Rugby world very interesting, find shows that there aro plenty of good forwards in the Metropolitan district. —" Soccer." — Although the season is now well under way, several clubs can still claim an unbeaten record in tho League campaign. Sunderland and Middlesbrough enjoy the distinction in the first division, and it is a good performance to have fulfilled nine and eight engagements respectively without a single reverse. Sunderland drew on Saturday, when opposed to Jfanchester City, but Middlesbrough easily defeated Notts County. As Manchester United could only draw at Tottenham, there was a slight alteration in tho table, the United leading Sunderland by a point, while Middlesbrough are three points behind -the leaders, but with a game in hand. Tho leading teams in the second division are having a rare struggle, Blackpool and Clapton drawing, as also did West Bmmwicb, Albion and Derby County. Thus, West Bromwich shows the way with 12 points for nine games, Clapton and Blackpool being a point behind, with a game in band Chelsea slipped back in the face in consequence of a defeat at Glossop, but will yeU pull up. Aberdeen and Clydo appear to be the two strongest teams in tho Scottish League, and they aro still unbeaten. Tho former only just prevailed (1—0) on entertaining Ah'direonlans, but Clyde showed lino form to beat ;2-0) Falkirk. The big surpriso of Saturday's games was fcirnished by Greenock, Morton beating Glasgow Rangers by no fewer than five goals to one.

THE TURF. Another noted stallion has been sold to a foreign breeder, Baron Girswalde, of Brunswick, having indveed Major Eustice Loder to part with Admiral Hawke. Whether tho gentleman named will keep the full brother of Pretty Polly for his own use, or is acting for tho German Government, is not yet known. Should the latter bo tho case, tho "Admiral" will be used for the purpose of getting chargers to be employed against England when "tho day" comes. Fortunately, wo still havo plenty of good material, but it would bo inoro satisfactory if tho Homo Government moved in tho matter of remounts for army purposes. Admiral Hawko is by Gallinule—Admiration, and gave glimpses of brilliant form as a youngster, but failed to maintain it. His opening win, the Coventry Stakes, w;is against such class animals as Neil Gow and Yellow Slave, and ho also scored over Lemberg; but both Neil Gow and Lemberg subsequently turned the tables. His early retirement to tho stud is Tather surprising, but ho certainly ought to prove a success. —Racing.—

The Druids' Lodge people can afford to look on tho result of tho Cambridgesh Ires of 1909 and 1910 with much satisfaction. The easy manner Christmas Daisy won the race a year ago induced many people to think the unsexed son of Vituz—Daisy had slipped his field, particularly as he failed badly in the Lincoln Handicap. Wc saw a better-looking horse at Newmarket on Wednesday, however, and when the connection made an eleventh-hour move in favor of last year's winner, the odds quickly shortened to 7to 1. Whisk Broom remained favorite, 3 to 1, but failed to stay the nine furlongs, as predicted by many would bo tho case. Lord Carnarvon's Mustapha "ran up" last year, and now met Christmas Daisv on lib worse terms, Maher having to declare lib overweight. Curiously enough, tho placings wero as in 1909, and it must be a TecoTd for tho same animals to run first and second two years in succession. Tho winner is evidently a real good horse, as he carried 1141b, "and ran one mile and a furlong in lmin 561 sec. A feature of tho opening day's racing was the fino form of Danny Maher, who rodo four winners during the afternoon. One of his win?; was gained on Sandwich in the Criterion Stakes, Mr Belmont's filly (receiving 91b) beating Borrow. This indicates that the win of tho latter in the Middle Park Plate was something of a fluke—a view which the compiler of, the Free Handicap took. Both Sandwich and Borrow were'bred in tho United States, tho former being by the English Derby winner Rock Sand, out of Teas Over. Touching on animals fTom the other side of the Atlantic, sportsmen aro wondering how Mr Whitney's filly Bashti will perform here. She is due about November 12, and will bo trained by Joyner. Her owner has plentv of money"; nevertheless, the price £6,000 (30,000dol) he paid is a high one for a two-year-old filly. It would not do to omit mention of the win of Greenback in the Limekiln Stakes, and judging by the easy win (five lengths) of Lord VillieVe colt over his only rival, Royal Realm, indicates that he has come back to his early form. BOXING.

Gunner Moir and Fral Prummontl should havo met in a 20-rounds contest this week, but as tho former hurt his ami ho paid forfeit, and it was arranged that tho pair should try conclusions in one month's time, so as 'to prevent disappointment. Private Smith, of tho Royal West Kent Regiment, vas substituted for Moir. Ho is alight heavy-weight (a silly name), und created a big stir by having tho best of matters for ton rounds, when he. knocked out his rival. After this, tho future form of tho soldier will bo closely watched, and ho mav turn out a really good man. Sam" M'Vea had no difficulty in earning the winner's end of tho purso in this contest with Sergeant Sunshine at Paris, tho Englishman failing to last through the opening round. All records were broken in regard to tho entries for tho Army and Navy championships, and tho gamo flourishes among soldiers and sailors, IX GENERAL. A six hour.-;' roller-skating race for amateurs was held at Buxton on Saturday, and ended in favor of E. J. Little, with a total of 78m 388 yds. U. Gray niado breaks of 529 and 510 on the same day during a match tin's week. ' London beat Birmingham by six goals to 1 in a, water polo match at Dudley la6t Saturday. Tho wonderful advance of hockey is astonishing, tho important ILxtnro list growing each week. Tho universities opened their campaign on Saturday, Cambridge drawing against Beckenham, while Oxford went down against F. D. Stock's XI. 11. \Y. Stevenson suggests that a teetimonial shall bo raised for C. Dawson, whose failing eyesight prevents his folloiviijcr billiards as a means of livelihood.