Championship Wrestling.

Evening Star, Issue 6725, 6 October 1885, Page 3

Championship Wrestling.

Ou September 2G, at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, Clarence Whistler, of Kansas (United States), wrestled William Miller, tho Australian champion, in the biu-co-Koman style for L2OO, in the presence ot a lai"e audience. The men had never met before, although Miller visited America and won the Circeiio-Roinan championship, since which time Whiatlcr has -.von his reputation iis one of the best wrestlers of the day. A great deal of interest attached to the match, as both men claimed the Greco-Roman championship, and were anxious to try conclusions. The condition* wcro two falls out of three to "win. Both men looked in the best of •condition, Miller being a little thinner than usual. As soon as they set to work the •different tactics of the men were placed in ■contrast. Whistler took a back hold, and Miller quietly dropped on his hands and ■knees, and for a lons,' time defied Whistler t) move him. The American, who is as agile as an acrobat, and without any exaggeration more slippery than au eel, lifted and lunged Miller all over the stage, oxhaustingall the different holds to bo got above the waist, but ho could not turn his bulky antagonist on hi 3 back. Miller, all this while, watched narrowly for chances to Blip his arm in a vice-like hug round Whistler's neck, and throw him a somersault on to his shoulders, but Whistler either slipped from the grasp with marvellous dexterity and suppleness before the throw came, or with consummate case fell upon liis feet and twisted himself ont of Miller's reach. Tho severe struggle went on Avithout any decisive point being gained, until the men, in spite of their training, were bathed in perspiration ; but they continued with unbated courage, winning cheer after cheer from the audience. "Whistler, with his wonderful quickness, kept getting a grip upon Miller's neck or shoulders that with an ordinary opponent would soon have brought matters to a crisis, and Miller showed a dexterity in finding a checkmate for every dangerous movement that was as warmly applauded as the elasticity which enabled Whistler to defy his antagonist to hold him. The encounter was full of the most exciting episodes, the only interludes beiDg Whistler's pauses for breath while he jealously held Miller on all fours preparatory to making another desperate attempt to overturn him; but t was noticeable that he had never yet tried in earnest for that terrible wrenching arm hold which he brought into play with Thomas and Dinnic. It seemed to those who knew Whistler's style of wrestling that he was keeping this expedient «n reserve until he had satisfied himself that he could by no other means win the match. After three-quarters of an hour he commenced to try for the arm hold, but failed to keep it. An hour after starting the bout, the referee, upon Whistler's suggestion, to which Milleragrced, allowed a quarter of an hour for retirement, and on returning the men were in dry flannels, and looked as fresh as ever. Whistler at once determinedly clasped Miller by the body, threw him on his side, caught him by the left arm, and turned him over. Miller managed to turn half over on his chest, but he was in a relentless grasp, and Whistler, forcing both Miller's hands behind him, and resting all his weight upon his shoulders, won the first fall. After another retirement the end came in less than five minutes. Whistler repeated his formor tactics, and seizing the left arm he twisted it double with such force that Miller, while on his side, gave him the fall rather than have the arm broken. The referee therefore announced that the match was won by Whistlor, who was loudly applauded, although there were many who strongly objected to see the element of torture brought into a manly sport like wrestling, liut it must bcTcmcmhcred that according- to the laws of Grti co Roman wrestling, any hold is allowed above tho waist, and Whistler seems to have been ingenious enough to have invented a hold for himself, which so far has made him invincible.—' Argus.'