KARASICK THE WRESTLER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1927, Page 8

KARASICK THE WRESTLER

* THE HEADLOCK KING. A TEMPERAMENTAL) RUSSIAN. “1-leadlock” Al Karasick. most pieturesque of all wrestlers, arrived in Melbourne recently, and brought with him his chess board, iar small Library of select highbrow books, and a brand new" headlock (Isays an Australian writer). The head 1 ock will be of most interest to Melbourne patrons of wrestling. Karasick is a student, an artist, .and .tv philosopher—until lie gets into 'action. O'nce the bell clangs he forgets to be erudite ; he tosses technique overboard, and becomes a wild oat pure and simple. As a wrestler we remember Ivarasick for his . .spectacular dives through mid-air, for his pantherish grace .and speed, and hi,i sense-robbing ■headilocks. When, lie turn® loose a .series of these thrilling holds the audience usually hud themselves on their feet. 'Greybeards renew their youth and gouty subjects throw away their crutches. As a stimulator AL has thyroid glands running a bad third. A WILD CAREER. But although I am interested in Karasick as'a wrestler, lam even more interested in him as a personality. He i,s certainly the most extraordinary individual 1 have ever met. He has had a career that would make a Zane Grey novel seem dull. Although much has been written about him in the past, it may be worth while to sketch a brief resume of his startling carreer. As a boy he danced before the Czar of Russia and was trained before the Russian Imperial Ballet. As a student he mixed in politics, and was sent to Siberia. As a prisoner he worked there on a farm, hut formed a friendship with his master’s family. They helped him to escape to Yladiostocls. In China he took up wrestling seriously; for he had shown some aptitude at this sport in his youth. He increased his knowledge of the wrestling art in Japan, by studying jui jitsu experts. It was here lie gained particular anatomical knowledge of the head’s structure, and applied that knowledge to the development of headlocks, for which he became famous. A SACRED ART. Ivarasick eventually made his way Lo America, where he became a member of the Pavlova troupe of dancers. For the time he gave up wrestling. But as he became bulkier in the shoulders and bigger in the chest he decided to give up • dancing for wrestling. Jiis reason for doing so was unique, and on Friday it was made clear. John Wren, who is a. shareholder in Stadiums, Ltd., asked him was it true that he had danced with Pavlova. “Yes, Mr Wren,” replied Headlock AL, “I did.” “Will you dance down at the Stadium for us?” he was asked. “No/’ replied Al. “1 was done with dancing wiien I lost my physical grace. The art of dancing is a serious thing with us Russians. It means as‘ much to me as does religion to the average man. I could not mock such art. .1 could make movements, hut with my heavy body those movements would not look what they should. Having lost my physical grace I would disgrace a great art. That is why I cannot do it.” Karasick spoke . soberly, almost emotionally.

Karasick made a great hit with his headlock, and was known in the States as the light-heavy-weight champion of * the Pacific Coast. We know how he pleased the public when life came to Australia. There have been many requests for Karasick’s return, and it would seem that the public Aver© anxious to welcome him again. If, his, reception at the stadium Melbourne is any criterion, he will he as popular as ever. A- REFINED FURY. Karasick is a man of many sides, besides being a chess player of ability, he is a, deep reader, and an ardent lover of good music. *, It seem* strange that a man of his refined, private tastes can be such a fierce wrestler, but it is a fact. I will' not pretend to understand the mercurial Russian. 1 have never even started- to understand; him. He surprises me at every turn. . ~110 This season Karasick wrestled lo matches—lo in the United States and 8 in Canada, with more than his fair share of success Some famous wrestr lers who have fallen victims to Karasick’s headlock whose names may be known here are Gleet, Kauffman, Heine Engel, Tom Alley, and George Polk He Has many other scalps, on his belt, but these men mentiohad are rated among the first class. In Canada, for instance, he won overv match, but it must be said that ... Karasick did not come in contact with Billy Edwards, the champion’, while he was there. ■ . , I mentioned before that K.ai*asicK loved music;' In Calgary it was" nearly his undoing. He went down to- listen to the Australian "band, which was plaving there. He telle me that lie got so ‘interested that he forgot that he had a wrestling match on that aught, and it was not until one of the boys reminded him that he woke up. rhen he made a wild dash to get to the hall where he was wrestling, but; fortunately, the preliminary bouts were prolonged, and he was on time.