EKLUND'S OPPONENT

Evening Star, Issue 20321, 1 November 1929, Page 4

EKLUND'S OPPONENT

GARDINI CONFIDENT OF GOOD SHOWING Maracci Gardlni, the Italian-Amen-can wrestler, is a considerably younger man than the majority of the overseas wrestlers at present in New Zealand, but he is confident that he will mnka strong showing against Clarence Eklund, the world’s champion, tomorrow night, and lie has as an ■'•eld l tional incentive the knowledge that the winner will meet Farmer Vance. It was only six years ago that Gardim was wrestling as an amateur, and he was the light heavy-weight amateur champion of the Mid-Western then turning professional. His progress in the mat game has been rapid, due probably to the fact that he has studied the scientific side of the sport and depends greatly upon his strength and speed. He'is ’ satisfied that with the experience he is now gaining from the very foremost men in the sport will stand him in good stead in the future, and he is confident that Eklund will find him a much harder man to defeat than he was when he met Farmer Vance. Hardin! is satisfied that wrestling will become a very ponnlar sport in the 'lnminion, especiallv as such splendid form is being shown by the dozens of amateurs who are coming forward. There are many big men in New Zealand who require only competition and the opportunity to learn to develop them into top-notchcrs. The amateurs in Dunedin, he considers, are further advanced than those of other towns, having a better knowledge of wrestling. Gardlni spoke highly of the sportsmanship of New Zealand crowds, arid said that, win or lose, lie was satisfied so long as he was able to please the spectators by his showing. He is very keen on having another match with' Farmer Vance, against whom he secured a fall in their last meeting. He admits, however, that Vanco has a wonderful headlock which is likely to prove a pitfall to younger and less experienced wrestlers. The staging of matches in rounds, he considers, makes the sport faster and more interesting.