Wrestling.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 11

Wrestling.

The wrestling match between Lucifer and Herr Hajek, and the more recent one between the New Zealand boy (Harry Dunn) and the American champion in Sydney, has given a fresh impetus to a sport that was apparently rapidly dying out in the colonies. Unfortunately, in years past, the moral tone of this sport had seriously fallen off, but, in the hands of men like Harry Dunn, its revival may be expected to be of a nature worthy of the support of everyone interested in the continuance and cultivation of athletic sports. Dunn has had a phenomenally successful tour in America, and his return to Australia just about the time of Lucifer’s victory over Hajek afforded a chance for a splendid match, which resulted in a most decisive victory for the New Zealander. Sydney exchanges say that there were over 1500 people present, and a splendid struggle was experienced. Dunn won the toss and selected Grieco-Roman as the first style. After twenty minutes wrestling, during most of which time Lucifer was on the ground, the contestants retired for a ten minutes rest. When the men resumed work a prolonged struggle ensued, resulting finally in Dunn securing a fall by getting on a sort of half-Nelson, with the elbow of the disengaged arm pressed into the body for the purpose. This was an hour and forty minutes after the contest began. The next style chosen was Catch-as-catch-can, which was won by Dunn after a very exciting bout. The final test wrestled was Cumberland style, and again Dunn scored, the match thus ending in his favor. Lucifer is very anxious for another match, and his backer is prepared to give a £5O purse for one between himself and Dunn at American side-holds, Catch-as-catch-can, and Grseco-Roman styles as soon as the New Zealander likes, and Lucifer further adds that if Dunn objects to Grmco-Roman, he can have the other two styles and toss for choice of third. Harry Cansdell, who has had his money up and been waiting weeks for Lucifer to clinch matters for the match the American promised to give him a week after his “ go” with Dunn, is disappointed that things have not come to a head yet. Lucifer states that he will keep his pledge to Cansdell, but wants to get satisfaction out of Dunn first. If he cannot arrange another meeting with him shortly he will treat with Cansdell at once.