Wrestling.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 268, 24 December 1928, Page 8

Wrestling.

THEO. GUDDING RETURNING. The two recent displays of allege 1 wrestling in Auckland, if nothing else, have drawn attention to this somewhat neglected sport. Challenges are flying around and it is problematical how wrestlers who have been residing in New Zealand for any length of time will adapt themselves to the tactics being brought infp play by the visiting “ wrestlers.”

However, an interesting item cabled from Sydney is to the effect that Theo. Gudding, who holds the .middle-weight championship of AusIralia, is returning to New Zealand. Gudding Will be remembered in this district by quite a number of people. He was a worker at the glaxo factory at Matamata, in the “ good days ” —when butter-fat was 2s 2,d per lb, an dv/hen money was easy. They will remember when Messrs. T. Bottomley, J. Finnerty, W. T. Darby and one or two others put -up, two purses of £IOO each for a heavyweight bout for the championship of New Zealand. Theo Gudding and Fireman “Nugget” Thompson were the principals in two contests, held in the Matamata Town Hall. Thompson won the first and Gudding the second. Both carnivals were admirably .conducted by amateurs, who, with the exception of the referee, were all resident of Matamata.' , Gudding was no “ chicken ” in those days/ which leads one tq wonder how he can still be up ‘ to championship class. Weight and cleverness at one ' time counteracted age To an extent in this sport, as instance : . the old-time Morrinsville champion, Esau. Pretty, but it is doubtful whether a man in the fifties can hold his end up at fighting and general “ rough-house ” work, which now goeS-mnder the guise of wrestling. Where are the shades of ITackensmidt ? ,