Is New Zealand Ready for Wrestling Boom ?

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 19 January 1929, Page 4

Is New Zealand Ready for Wrestling Boom ?

Efforts at Auckland to re-establish sport —Overseas grapplers introduce American methods —Talk of extension to Wellington and Palmerston North —Kilonis and McCarthy may be advance guard of big invasion next year —Sunni is Last of N.Z. ’s “Old Guard. ” Auckland is at present experiencing a mild boom in the formerly moribund sport of wrestling. The end of the Australian season has brought across the Tasman wellknown wrestlers like Kilonis, McCarthy, Heslin, who it is rumoured, are the advance guard of a projected overseas invasion next season. These men, who combine the sound commercial instincts of the modern sports promoter with displays of mat-craft which are chockful of “rough-house” tactics and spectacular holds, are reported to be here to “spy out the land.” They are here to gain some idea of the public support which is offering, and if, they think that New Zealand is a good medium for the sport it is likely that a strong contingent of overseas wrestlers will be here next season. Already, enquiries are being made as to the prospects in Wellington and Palmerston North, and the possibility of Robin and Anderson of Palmerston North being persuaded to re-enter the game.

So far, Sunni is the only New Zealand wrestler of calibre who has come into prominence as an opponent for the American invaders. He has been out of the game so long, however, that it will take him some time to work back into, his best form. His bout against Kilonis at Auckland on Monday night was his first contest in years, but if he elects- to take on the game seriously next season, he may regain his old position in Australasian wrestling. The principals in the big contest at Auckland this week'are two of the most picturesque personalities at present in the game. One is a Greek, the other a Moslem from India, and both have had long and successful careers in wrestling.

crowd would see something for its money. However the bout did not last long, Robin giving in after 15 minutes. In the second bout with Robin Sunni suffered defeat. In his wrestling career Sunni has had 40 contests in India, seven in Australia, and about 30 in New Zealand. He claims to have lost only

Born in Punjab, India) in 1895, Mohammed Ali Sunni, is a Moslem of Mohammedan Punjabi, and he received an education which took him 10 years to complete. Six of the 10 years were spent at Islamia College, and Sunni is one of the best educated Indians in New Zealand. Coming to New Zealand in 1920, Sunni continued wrestling, and won the light-heavy-weight and heavyweight championships of New Zealand from Theo 'Gudding. in 1922. In the same year he won the heavy-weight championship of Australasia from Jack Clarke. He issued a challenge through the New Zealand newspapers to anybody to wrestle him for the middle-weight championship of New Zealand but this was not accepted. When the New Zealand WrestlingAssociation was formed the title was awarded to Sunni. He claims that he has never been beaten by a man of his own weight, under 12 stone. “Nugget” Thompson challenged him for the light-heavy-weight championship, the result of the n -.tch being a draw, Sunni thus retaining his title. In a match for the heavy-weight title in 1923 he defeated Ernie Anderson, of Palmerston North, so quickly that the association asked him to give an exhibition with Ike Robin so that the

five out of the total which, considering he has wrestled with men much heavier than himself, is a wonderful record. For over 20 years, John Kilonis has been an exponent of the art of wrestling, and during that time he has had over 700 professional contests. Kilonis went to America from Greece in 1906, and as he had been au athlete above the ordinary in his home country, he lost -no time in getting into sport in the land of his adoption. He had many amateur

contests, and, in addition, was an accomplished boxer, winning a large number of cups and medals at both sports. When Leo Partello, Italian professional heavy-weight champion, visited Boston, Oregon, in 1912, he challenged anyone to stay 15 minutes with him. If he did not defeat his man in that time, he would pay him £5. Kilonis was tempted by the offer, and as he was an amateur, he wrestled the Italian under an assumed name. Partello could not defeat him in the time and had to pay out. However, Kilonis had been recognised, and he was not allowed to as an amateur again. He therefore joined the professional ranks. Kilonis says the last 12 years have been very successful. During his eight years in the middle-weight class, he wrestled the best at the weight, and in the past four years he has competed with the best light-heavy-weights and heavy-weights in the world.

During the war Kilonis was ope of the leading physical culture instructors. He was stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia. Of his 700 odd contests as a professional Kilonis has won 85' per cent., a great record considering the class of men he has met. He has suffered jnany injuries, including broken ribs and dislocated shoulders and ankles, but his fine physical condition had stood’him in good stead, and he does not suffer any after-effects.

Asked what he considered was the best hold in wrestling, Kilonis said he considered that physical fitness came before any hold. Physical perfection played the greatest part in match winning. “I have enjoyed my stay in New Zealand. It has been the best holiday I have ever had. When I come through to Australia either next year or the year after, I will call here to see the many friends I have made, and if there is any wrestling wanted I will engage in contests. I will probably have my family with me, and I want them to see this country. I have been round the world four times and New Zealand is easily the best country for sight-seeing. If America had a place like Rotorua it would have a city there nearly as big as New York.” Kilonis left Auckland for America on Tuesday by the Aorangi.