WRESTLING SEASON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 115, 13 April 1940, Page 10

WRESTLING SEASON.

THE FIRST ARRIVALS. The first four wrestlers to visit New , Zealand this year, John Katun, Dick i Raines, Joe Corbett and Chief Little Wolf, are tinder contract to the New Zealand Wrestling Union. The season will probably open with matchers in Auckland and Wellington. Katan is acclaimed by critics as one of the five best wrestlers in the world. Ho is one of the only three who have gained decisions over Earl McCready in the past seven years; a hectic match distinguished by clever, scientific matcraft, ended in a fractured arm for AlcCready. Raines was very popular on a previous visit to the Dominion, and recent matches indicate that he is even better now. He recently beat Ali Baba, former world champion, at Minneapolis, this being Baba’s first defeat in 150 matches in that city, lie then drew with Bronco Nagurski, another ex-world champion. Many . sporting writers, however, disputed the decision, claiming that Raines should have had a points win. 1 Joe Corbett, Boston, is under 30’ vears old, Oft in height, and 17 stone in weight. He is celebrated as most handsome American mat-mail, but is tough as well as pretty; he has defeated Ali Baba, Ed Don George and Gits Sonnenberg. Chief Little Wolf, picturesque and formidable Red Indian, has also been here before. Ho attracted attention among the supporters of the sport, as a notable exponent of the Indian death-lock. Last season lie wrestled with great success in Australia. This season, it is stated, the union intends to devote particular attention to the amateur side of the sport, as a valuable contribution to the development of national fitness and physique. It is pointed out that the professional bouts prove a valuable stimulus, not only in interest, but in actual finance, to the amateur side of the sport; and with a firshelass team of professionals coming, a lively amateur season also may be expected.