ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13453, 1 June 1907, Page 8

ATHLETICS.

The last issue of the Loudon Time* to hand contains th» following:—"Wo have received a communication from the British Olympic Association, in reference to these games, to be held in London in July, 1903. The buildings and stadium arc to bo constructed by the executive committee of the Franco-British Exhibition, and accommodation is to be provided for over 66,C00 spectators. The sports to bo included in the programme are athletics, archery, cycling, football (Association and Rugby), fencing, gymnastics, lacrosse, lawn tennis, motoring, military riding, polo, rifle shooting, rowing, swimming, wrestling, and yachting; and it. is probable that others will be added.

Negotiations are still proceeding between the authorities representing the International Gymnastic Board, and therefore the associations of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, on the question of the gymnastic programme at the Olympic (.James in London in 1903. It is eminently satisfactory to know that tho four associations are absolutely unanimous as to the attitude to bo observed by British gymnasts and British gymnastic legislative bodies in connection with the games, says the Athletic News. The essentially amateur character of the meeting will be observed by the gymnastic organisations, and the conduct, the promotion of the gymnastic section, must be, of necessity, the chief care of the associations of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and no relegation of administrative powers must be conceded to non-legis-lative organisations. A CHAMPION OF THE NAVY. There are few persons better known to the British Jack Tar than Mr. A. master-at-arms or li. M.s. Encounter, now lying in the Auckland Harboui. Mr. Bray has tho enviable distinction of being the champion weight-lifter in middle and lightweight divisions, and the champion ju-jitsu wrestler of the British Navy. During tho week I had a chat with him, and found him to bo of a quiet disposition, and, I would say, not an adept at blowing his own trumpet. He is neatly built, but is not bulky. Ho is sft Sin high, and weighs lOst 61b. It' is, however, when stripped that ono begins to rcaliso his true strength. He is magnificently, developed, and for his size his measurements are exceptional. His measurements are:—Chest, normal, 40in, expanded 4-siin; biceps, 16m; forearm, 13in ; thigh, 23in ; calf, - !; "Although . always a keen participant in anything athletic, it was not until : 1896 that he seriously took up a course of physical culture. He then joined Sandow's classes, and soon made his ability known. Since then success has followed him everywhere. To deal with him as a weight-lifter first, it might be mentioned that he is undefeated. Not one member of the British Navy who is in the light or middle weight division has beaten him. Ho has competed against other representative . strong men in the navy in England, Ireland, and Scot-, land. One of his feats is .that of lifting 1701b with the right arm over the head. His chief lifts are the body lifts. Ho. has supported a Maxim gun and stand, complete,' together with four men, on his chest. Some, time ago he gave an exhibition at a. charitable entertainment, in Auckland, and then supported on his chest' a big piano, with a man playing it, and another swinging clubs.

; As an export in the ju-jitsu art, Mr. Bray has achieved wonders. He was trained by Yokoi Tani and Tara Myakia, tho champions of the world. It might bo mentioned that Yokoi Tani was tho champion of England for five years, when Tara Myakia came ever and defeated him. Tho pair then went into partnership. Tani is tho light-weight champion, of tho world, and Tara Myakia is the heavy-weight champion. On four occasions Mr. Bray met Yokoi Tani, and stood up against him longer than, any other man has been' able to do. Myakia, the heavy-weight, Mr. Bray has also met, and stayed with him 6m. 555., a feat no other man excepting Tani has achieved. In fact, Myakia refuses to meet any other man weighing under 12st. Mr. j Bray's success cost him five days in bed. 'The navy champion wears a very attractive medal, presented 10 birr for putting up the best"performance at ju-jitsu "in London. He has also met and defeated the French champion. Franich, the .Auckland strong man, who weights about 14st, 21b, and who is now in Australia, was offering £10 to any man" who could resist him" for ten minutes. Bray engaged the chamoion's. attention, with the result that the Aueklander had to pay out. Mr. Bray was good enough to show me a few holds and falls, and I can endorse the effectiveness of his use of the art. Speaking generally on ju-jitsu, Mr. Bray, said that it was a wonderful art, and one of flic finest things to know for every-day defensive purposes. It required an earnest study to accomplish proficiency in all its branches, and some people would never learn it, while others would pick it up quickly. Large numbers who commence to learn are afraid to go through with tho overhead falls, for it is necessary to gothrough everything to learn it. The secret of the art was to learn to judge exactly how the particular man you are dealing with will attack you, and to act yourself at the precise moment. In fact, he him- j self would allow a man to attack him in any way he liked, and with knife, stick, or j such-like weapon, and would guarantee to disarm him.

"You can render a man unconscious in many simple ways, and in very quick time. It is one. of the most useful" natural arts for defence purposes in the world, but one does not want to use it utiles it becomes absolutely necessary." Questioned as to what be thought of the Auckland wrestlers he saw at the Royal Albert Hall the other evening, Mr. Bray said that Leslie and Dunne put up the best performance. He thought Leslie a pretty wrestler, clever in slipping, and possessed: of the knowledge of several sever© holds. He also remarked upon the frequency with which the half-Nelson was resorted to, and expressed the opinion that it was a pity the hammeriock hold was barred from catch-as-catch-ean now. . SCOTTISH TEX MILKS CHAMPIONSHIP. .At Ibrox Park, Glasgow, the ten miles amateur championship of Scotland was decided on April 6. ■ Of the ten entrants, I. Jack (holder)), of the Edinburgh Southern Harriers, who finished fifth in -the recent international cross-country race, was most strongly fancied. He realised expectations by breaking all Scottish records, from five to ten miles inclusive, and winning outright in 53m. 4s. Cold weather prevailed. Young led for. half a mile, when Jack closed up, and, at a mile, was three yards ahead (time, sm. 9 2-55.), with Matthew third. At two miles Jack was 100 yards to the good (time, 10m. 6 3-ss). He" continued to increase his lead, covering three miles in 15m. 245.; four miles in 20ra. 42 2-55., five miles (by which time ho led by 300 yards) in 25m. 57 2-ss. (beating Andrew Hannah's Scottish record of 26m. 1 3-5?., : made- 12 years ago); six miles found .Jackstill further ahead of his field in 31m. 26 3-ss. (against Hannah's old record of 36m. 555.); eight miles in 42m. 14s. (against Hannah's 42m. 22 4-55.); nine miles in 47m. 42 l-ss. (Hannah's old record being 47m. 55 l-55.); and ten miles in 53m. 4s. (Hannah's 53m. 255. being the previous Scottish best). Jack's victory was gained by I 750 yards. .-..,■■ j