WRESTLING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 21

WRESTLING ITEMS

CONTEST ON SATURDAY VIC. CHRISTIE TO APPEAR OPPONENT FOR BLOMFIELD The most successful wrestler to visit Australia since the re-establishment of the mat sport there, the fast-moving Vic. Christie is being set a difficult task in being allotted "Lofty" Blomficld as his first opponent in New Zealand. The men meet at Auckland on Saturday night in what gives promise of being ono of the outstanding bouts of the current season. Winner over such internationally famous performers as "Man Mountain" Dean, Nick Lutze, Joe Savoldi, Chief Little Wolf and all four Dusck brothers, Christie is climbing close to the top of the wrestling tree. Like Blonifield he is still in his middle twenties, and with all his competitive best ahead of him. Because of the equality of their positions in the sport this meeting between Blomfield and Christie is of particular importance. Following close upon the heels of "Jolting" Joe Woods, in Australia, Christie established new gate records at both the Sydney and Melbourne stadiums. Ho compiled a highly creditablo record in competition there, his wrestling style proving most effective as well as spectacular. Turning the scale well past the 1G stone mark, Christie is nevertheless a very speedy worker, and is not matched in this country for the skill with which he applies and counters hold;;. To finish off his opponents lie usually employs flying tackles or drop-kicks, being equally proficient in both methods.

AN IMPORTANT HATCH AMBITION OF BLOMFIELD Blomfield has recently been wrestling particularly well, having now fully recovered from bouts of gastric influenza and carbuncles from which he suffered somo weeks ago. His meeting with Christie, however, is perhaps his most important match to date this season and he will need to give of his best to match the spectacular American. The New Zealand champion has recently been undergoing special preparation in the hope that stupe finality would shortly bo reached concerning a British Empire title bout with the holder, Earl MeCready. Blomfield won the right of first challenge match when lie twice defeated the Canadian champion, Jack Forsgren, earlier in the season. Christie has attracted wide notice among wrestling experts in the United States. Since Blomfield's competition, during the past few years has been restricted to Australia and New Zealand, bis match with Christie will serve as a guide to his thousands of Dominion supporters as to their champion's chances in a wider field of competition than that available here. Like Blomfield, Christie has attained international ranking prominence in the wrestling sport. It remains to be seen, therefore, whether Blomfield's rugged style, combined with his octopus clamp, will overcome the more polished methods of the new-comer. Bv their records and by a comparison of their physiques and styles, Blomfield and Christie are a particularly well-matched pair and, whatever the outcome of tho match, many thrills should bo in prospect for Auckland patrons on Saturday night.