N.Z. MIDDLEWEIGHT WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1036, 13 January 1910, Page 10

N.Z. MIDDLEWEIGHT WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

LOUIS ROBERTSON RETAINS TITLE. Readers will no doubt remember a challenge that appeared in these columns some weeks ago in which L. D. Mclvor, of New Plymouth, accepted a challenge by L. Robertson, of Stratford, who claimed the New Zealand middleweight wrestling championship, to a match for the title and a trophy. The match came off the other evening in the Town Hall, Stratford, in the presence of a good attendance, and provided an interesting exhibition, albeit that it proved of shorter duration than those present could have wished.

This is to a large extent accounted for by the fact that Mclvor had been suffering from an attack of influenza for over a week prior to the match, and was not in consequence in a fit condition to exhibit his best form. The first fall occupied minutes, Robertson eventually throwing his opponent with a half Nelson and crutch hold and knee block. The bout provided some pretty wrestling, and on one occasion the New Plymouth man, who appeared to favour arm holds a good deal, had the local champion in considerable difficulty with a hammer lock, which Robertson at last succeeded in bridging out of. The second bout occupied 7 % minutes, Robertson at the end of that time putting his adversary down by means of a scissors hold on the head and armlock. The bout was a lively one, Robertson’s

lightning rolls and spins getting him out of several tight corners. The weights of the principals were approximately: Robertson lOst. 41bs., Mclvor lOst. 71bs. The winner is prepared to meet anyone who disputes his claim to the light and middleweight championships of New Zealand.

challenge match at Muirkirk Highland Games. On September 23, 1905, he challenged Scotland through the Glasgow Evening Times to any light-weight wrestler in Scotland, the challenge being accepted by R. Auld, of Ayr, J. M’Kinnon, of Motherwell, ano George Kay, of Greenock. Robertson met and defeated all three.- In Darvei, Robertson won second prize in a heavy-weight competition, defeating three heavyweights before being defeated himself. At Helnsburgh Highland Games in in 1905, Robertson was third in the twelve stone championship of Scotland, being defeated by James M‘Murdo, who ultimately won the competition. On January 5, 1906, Robertson wrestled a draw with Peter Gotz in Catrine Town Hall. Next day at New Cumnock Robertson defeated Tom Robertson for the ten-stone championship. Again at New Cumnock Robertson defeated Jim Gallacher, of Glasgow, on January 13, 1906. On January 27, 1906, Robertson defeated Andreas Karalc, of Sweden, the contest again taking place at Catrine. On April 26, 1906, in Sorn Athletic Club, he defeated Bob Russell, of Motherwell, for the light-weight championship. In Ayr, May 31, 1906, Robertson defeated the following three men in thirty-two minutes:—H. Fingland, 13st.; James Donaldson, lOst. 6in., and W. Wallace, lOst. At Kirkconell sports Robertson defeated Jack M Dermott, of Glasgow, for the 10 st. 71b. championship of Scotland. At, Kilwinning on October 19, 1906, Robertson defeated Marcello Senches, of South America. The following week he won the light-weight competition in Queen’s Theatre, Glasgow, beating Jack Anton in the final. At Kilmarnock, December, 1906, won a competition for the light-weight championship, defeating Alex. Stewart, 9st. 71b., champion of Scotland. At Troon, Robertson defeated Jack Dawson, 12 st. champion of the North of Scotland, date of contest March 27, 1907. In July, 1907, Robertson won the lOst. championship of Ireland by defeating Tom McDermott, Irish champion. In Henglers’ Circus, London, Robertson defeated Phal, German middle-weight, April 9, 1908. On April 20, at Henglers’ Circus, he defeated Tano Matsuda, of Japan, in fifty-five seconds, also at Henglers’ Circus. Robertson defeated Batchelor, London middleweight in 28 seconds on May 1, 1908, at Henglers’ Circus, London. At Stratford, New Zealand, August 3, 1909, Robertson defeated W. T. Colledge, of Auckland, for the light-weight championship of New Zealand. The above are a few of the most important matches Robertson has won in all over one hundred and fifty competitions and matches.”

Next Monday the greatest athlete that ever lived —George Hackenschmidt —opens a season in His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, and the visit of the famous wrestler is certain to prove a big attraction. Hackenschmidt, unlike most athletes who only excel in the particular line in which they gain fame, is an all-round athlete, being a champion wrestler, an expert boxer, a physical culturist, a cyclist, weight-lifter, jumper, runner —a combination x of athletics which only a man possessed of the finest constitution could participate in without breaking up. Hackenschmidt’s splendid development is known in all parts of the world, and one has only to glance at a photograph of the powerful Russian to form an idea of his wonderful stamina. The method of training adopted by George Hackenschmidt is considered by many physical culture experts to be superior to all other systems, and it will be interesting to watch the big Russian exercising in His Hajesty’s next week. Wrestling, physical culture, posture posing, training and endurance exercises will all be gone through by Hackenschmidt, while a London expert will fully explain the different forms of exercise and the benefits derived therefrom. Such an instructive night’s entertainment for the athletic-loving public has not been provided in Auckland since Eugene Sandow’s visit to New Zealand many years ago, and a comparison of the physical measurements of Hackenschmidt and Sandow are decidedly interesting, being as follows: —

Our Greymouth correspondent wires:-r-On Friday night a wrestling match took place here between Joe Gardiner, the English light-weight, and Richard Millky, of Wellington, late of the flee*, the

to secure two straight falls. Great excitement prevailed throughout the contest, which was won by Gardiner, who threw his opponent in the first bout after 12 minutes 14 seconds wrestling. The next fall was obtained by the Englishman in 7 minutes 3 seconds, the scientific holds and superior footwork of Gardiner proving disastrous to the American.

Frank Gotch, the American wrestler, who appears to be side stepping £lackenschmidt, is reported to be in good training, and recently defeated Hilding Ardahl, of Rock Island, in a match at lowa, securing three straight falls within 18 minutes.

HACKENSCHMIDT SANDOW Height : 5 ft lOin . . . . 5ft 8in Weight : 208 pounds 196 pounds Neck: 22 inches . . 18 inches Chest: 52 inches . 48 inches Waist: 33 inches . . 34 inches Thigh: 28 inches 26% inches Calf: 19 inches > • w . . 18 • inches