Tne “Terrible Turk” is a Mild Young Man

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7297, 6 August 1930, Page 7

Tne “Terrible Turk” is a Mild Young Man

KALA PASHA IN PALMERSTON NORTH. Finely built, of swarthy complexion and speaking well nigh perfect English, Kala Pasha, known as “The Terrible Turk, ” was a visitor to Palmerston North yesterday. Wrestling enthusiasts of this city have heard much of this redoubtable exponent of tho art and liis work in Wellington, where he defeated Mormon Tom Alley and Tom Ray, earned him tho highest praise from all sporting writers. In conversation with a Times representative, the visitor gave a few impressions of his career and briefly alluded to his match against Tom Ray (the Canadian) at tho Palmerston North Opera House next Wednesday as a promising opportunity for revealing the scientific art. Born at Sivas (Turkey) Kala Pasha left his native country to seek his living abroad and for 1G years he has been in America, residing for 10 years of that time in Texas.

A shroud of mystery surrounds “The Terrible Turk’s” methods of training for the padded area and for the dozen years he has been wrestling he has made it a principle not to give public demonstrations in that regard. “I came out as a free lance; I am paying my own expenses and I decided I had a right to keep my plans to myself,” he said. Walking constituted one way of keeping fit, he added, and when in Wellington a brisk walk up the Tinakora hill to the wireless station was a regular performance. Speaking of America, Kala Pasha declared that tho sport had a great hold there and was capturing publicsupport everywhere. It was doing moie than any other of the branches as it was scientific and provided fast and thrilling action. Yousiff, “The Terrible,” had assisted to introduce the sport in America in 1900 and his record in working through the country without a defeat fiorn any of the early wrestlers was a splendid achievement. This master of mat work could not speak English and, as a consequence ho did not desire U.S. currency for his labours. He had collected £4OO0 —all in gold—which he carried in a belt around his waist, and it was recognised that this brought him to his death. He was a traveller on a French liner when it struck an iceberg and had performed heroic work in tho rescue of Lis colleagues. After all had been helped off he was the last to leave and was drowned; the weight of the gold preventing him from swimming to safety. When asked how he learnt English, Kala Pasha stated that he had found it a very difficult language to master and before ho had visited America he had not learnt a word.

“Of course, to-day, more matured men are found among tho wrestling fraternity and they travel a lot,” lie said smilingly. Personally, he had to make his living out of the sport and consequently lie could not neglect keeping fit. Kala Pasha weighs 32 stone 9 lbs. and has never been defeated by anyone of his own weight. Virtually, he is the light-heavy-weight champion, having beat Tom Alley, the holder of the title. He has participated in matches in Turkey, Greece, Canada and America and has had a most successful career.

“I can at least assure you that the match on Wednesday will not be lacking in anything,” commented “Tho Terrible Turk” by way of a parting shot.