ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 19, 10 May 1911, Page 8

ATHLETICS.

WORLD S PROFESSIONAL. CHAMPIONS. WHO ARE THEY I Several runners in various parts of the world claim to be professional champions of the world. How, when, and where some of them got the titles it is hard to say. Nat J. Cartmell. the American ex-ama-teur champion, writes interestingly on the subject to the athletic writer of the South African “Cape Argus.” He says: —“Having read of R. E. Walker’s defeat in his match over 100yds with Jack Donaldson. 1 am writing to inform South African runners, promoters, and followers of professional foot-running that I am willing to run any man or men a series of races over distances from 130yds to 500 yds., the undisputed championship of the world to be involved in the result of the series. “Knowing that professional running is <lead in America, and almost dead in England, I am sending this announcement to you, believing that the sport is in good favour in your country with all sportsmen.

“I am the 220yds. world’s professional champion and record-holder for the distance, having won this honour from Arthur Pestle on December 18. 1909, at Stoke-on-Trent. England. On this day I did 21jsec over a curved track, defeating my opponent by 4yds. I also claim the 440yds. championship, to which I am entitled, because of my clean cut and decisive victory over Postle, who at the time of my victory in the 220yds. held the quarter-mile championship, and publicly announced his unwillingness to run me another greater distance than 100yds. I have heard that Jack Donaldson also claims the quarter, by virtue of his win over Holway and Postle in a 100 yards race. My claim is. in my opinion, stronger than Donaldson’s. At any rate, I am willing to defend my just claims to the 440 yards, as well as the 220 yards professional championships. “Together with my willingness to defend the 440 yards and 220 yards titles, 1 also wish to announce to the public that 1 am now ready and anxious to run any man in the world any distance not less than 130 yards, and not greater than 150 yards, for the. sprint championship of the world. My ambition is to win an undisputed right to the title ol world’s champion, for all distances, from 130 yards to 500 yards.

“Unless a recent defeat has been administered to tlie American, C. E. Holway, the 130 yards title rests on his head. However, in my opinion, he will not hold it long, hence my desire to run for this championship. For me to. defend the titles of 4 10 and 220 yards champion and run for the 130 yards

championship, a series of races would necessarily have to be arranged, into which I will gladly enter, provided the world’s undisputed sprint titles are without doubt at stake. “When Jack Donaldson was in England last year, he make known his willingness to run me a 220 yards match. But his challenge was issued while he was training for a match with C. E. Holway. I wanted to run a real champion, and fearing the outcome of his match with tho fast American. I refused to consider his challenge. Later, my judgment proved good, for Donaldson was defeated, and the running game in England received another shock. (Donaldson lias since defeated Holway and has the undoubted right to call himself champion.).