WRESTLING

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 32

WRESTLING

TOM KENNEDY, THE LIGHTWEIGHT WRESTLER.

The following particulars of the wrestling career of Tom Kennedy, of Cleator Moor, will prove of interest to many of our readers. It was; in the year 1872 that Tom Kennedy made his first appearance in the wrestling ring. This was at Cleator Moor on Ea&ter Monday, when he won the 9| stone wrestling ab the sports promoted by that renowned but now deceased wrestler, Dick Wright, of Longtowu, who at that time kept an inn at Wath Brow. Tho prize won by Kennedy on that occasion was a handsome silver cup of chaste design. At Liverpool, on Whit Monday, in the same year, Kennedy won the 9£ stone wrestling, the prize being a silver cup of elegant design. His next visit was to the " merrie citie " of Carlisle, where in the year 1874 he also won the 9^ btone event, receiving a magnificent silver cup. In 1875 Tom entered the wrestling ring nearer home, winning two cups at Frizington given for 10 and 11 tt me wrestling. In 1876, at the Alhambra Hall, Barrow-iu-Furiiess, ho won the 10^ stone wrestling for picked men, aud was agaiu awarded a silver cup. At Prescott, Liverpool, in 1872, he won the %' z stone wrestling, the prizes given being a silver teapot and cream jug. In 1876, at the Theatre Royal, Whitehaven, Kennedy won two similar competitions, and was awarded two silver cups. At Frizington, in that year also, he won tho 11 stone wrestling, the prize given being a silver cup, and at Carlisle in 1877, and again at Carlisle in 1878, he carried off the 11 stone wrestling contests, the prizes iv both instances being handsome silver cups. At Troutbeck, Penrith, in 1876, he secured the prize, a silver goblet, for the 10£ stone wrestling competition, and at the Forresters' Sports, held at Cleator Moor, in 1878, the 10 stone wrestling foil to him, the prizes awarded consisting of a bilvermounted horn and « sash. At the Northumberland cricket ground in 1879, Kennedy wou the heavy weight wre&tliug against all comers, the prize given for competition being a silver goblet, and to this was added a handsome silver cup for neat costume. In 183 L and 13:32, and also 1883, Tom won in three successive 5-ears the champion heavy weight wrestling competition at Carli&le, the prizes awarded to him on the three occasions being very handsome silver cups. At the Victoria Grounds, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1882, Kennedy won the

lL]r stone wrestling in two competitions. In 1884 he was present at the Grasmere gathering, and succeeded in winning the 11 stone wrestling, for which a handsome silver belt was given by tho committee. At Egremont Crab Fair sports in 1875 he won the 11 stone wrestling, and received a gold medal, and at the same sports in 1879 was again the winner of the 11 stone wrestling, being given another gold medal. At the Cleator Moor sports in 1873 he was winner of the 10 stone wrestling, and was awarded a silver-plated fork and spoon in case, and at Cleator Moor in 1877 he again carried off the 11 stone wrestling, the prize given being a gold£medal. In 1886, at the International Exhibition at Edinburgh, Kennedy won the first prize, a handsome silver medal, for 12 stone wrestling, and in 1887, at Morecambe, was successful in the 12 stono wrestling competition, the prize given being a handsome silver and oak tankard, by which Tom sets great store. At tho Grasmere Lake District sports on August 18, 1887, Kennedy succeeded in winning the heavy weight wrestling competition against all competitors, for which ho received a handsome silver belt, which was presented to him by Lady Muncasber on behalf of the committee, along with the sum of £2 for the neatest wrestling costume. At Morpebh, in August 1887, he won tho 14 stone wrestling, the prize given for this beicg a silver cup. At Bowness-on-Windermere, in 1888, he won the 13 stone wrestling, aud was given as prizes a walnut writing desk and a silver teapot and butter cooler. In 1886, at Carlisle, tho 12 stone wrestling prize was secured by Kennedy, the prize being an English silver lever watch. At Troubbeck, Penrith, in 1888, he wonjtho 14 stone wrestling, and carried away a silver teapot. At Carlisle, in 1890, the 12 stone wrestling was again won by him, the prize being a timepiece. At Bowness-on-Windcrmere, in 1882, the 13 6tono wrestling jmze, a black oak timepiece, was won by him. At the Wasdale sports, in 1881, he secured the heavy weight wrestling prize, a silver cup. At numerous other wrestling gatherings Kennedy lias carried off many prizes of less value, and also prizes in money. — West Cumberland Times.