WRESTLING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23220, 14 December 1938, Page 26

WRESTLING ITEMS

JONATHAN TO MEET STEELE LONDOS DEFEAJS NAGURSKI The wrestling season in Auckland was to have closed last Saturday night with the contest between Lofty Blomficld and Ray Steele, but the latter expressed a desire to accept tho challenge issued from the ring by Brother Jonathan. The Mormon's appearance against Blomfield tho previous week created unprecedented interest and there is every indication that he will again bo a centre of attraction at the Town Hall next Monday night. Jonathan proved himself a very powerful wrestler, with ability to counter holds and to make tho exchanges as willing and rough as his opponent wanted them. The big Mormon gained many supporters on that occasion and they will be keen to see him in action again. Ray Steele is recognised as one of the world's best wrestler's, his knowledge of holds and counters probably excelling that of any other matman who has appeared in New Zealand. Ho is a very fast worker, while Jonathan also possesses amazing speed for one of his proportions. Tho meeting of this pair should provide one of tho brightest matches of the season and it will be a fitting climax to a successful year. A match for the world's wrestling championship took place in Philadelphia on November 19 when Jim Londos, former champion, defeated the titleholder, Bronko Nagurski. At the end of 47m lis Londos threw his opponent with an aeroplane spin and obtained a fall with a body press. The contest was witnessed by a crowd of over 10.000. Subscriber, Aria, writes:—Could you tell me if Dean Dctton ever applied the octopus clamp on Lofty Blomfield, and, if s», where and when ?—Dctton did not apply the clamp on Blomfield. It is the latter's special hold and no other wrestler has used it in New Zealand.—Athletics Editor.