Can Sunni Reproduce His Old Form?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 559, 11 January 1929, Page 7

Can Sunni Reproduce His Old Form?

Big Wrestling Contest on Monday Night Reviewed —Kiloti Must be Favourite, But Indian May Prove “Dark Horse” —Both Men in Solid Training—lnterestin g Sidelights on Their Careers.

Sunni, a slippery, elusive Indian grappler, go tlie distance witll suck a heavier and smashing opponent as John Kilonis. That is the problem which is being vigorously debated in wrestling circles. Sunni's supporters say that not only will Sunni go the distance, but that he will show Kilonis something in the art of scientific: wrestling which enabled the mighty Gama, their fellow countryman, to dethrone the famous Stanislaus Zbyszko . * » in a sensational match in India last year. Both men have been training hard. Kile ' is taking no chances with "Mr. X,” the unknown quantity, as some of his supporters have labelled Sunni. They know something of his formidable record, and they realise that if Sunni can reproduce the form which made him famous a few years ago, he will take a

power of beating. Provided both men are fit and well, it should be a great contest. Sunni has had a long spell, and to face such a formidable rival as Kilonis without a preliminary match is a tremendous hurdle.

Furthermore, he is under the handicap of having just recovered from sickness, and is just working back into top condition again. He may be a little short of condition on Monday night, but he is so wonderfully clever and skilful that Kilonis may find him one of the toughest propositions he has met. Sunni, himself, is confident, and he has any number of supporters who are prepared to say that he will beat Kilonis. It is impossible to forecast how the match will go. Sunni is the unknown quantity. It is certain that there will be tremendous interest taken in how he will shape on his reappearance on the mat, and only Monday night can decide. Born in Punjab, India, in 1895, Mohammed Ali Sunni, is a Moslem of Mohammedan Punjabi, and he received an education which took him 10 years to complete. Six of the lu years were spent tit Islamia College, and Sunni is one of the best educated Indians in New Zealand. While at college, Sunni, like every other Indian, indulged in the sport of wrestling. He won the championship of the school district, and followed this up by winning the centre championship in 1911. In 1912 he joined the ranks of the professionals proper, there being no amateurism in India, and he won the central championship three years running. Coming to New Zealand in 1920, Sunni continued wrestling, and won the light-heavy-weight and heavyweight championships of New Zealand from Theo Gudding in 1922. In the same year he won the heavy-weight championship of Australasia from Jack Clarke. He issued a challenge through the New Zealand newspapers to anybody to wrestle him for the middle-weight championship of New Zealand but this was not accepted. When the New Zealand Wrestling Association was formed the title was awarded to Sunni. He claims that lie has never been beaten by a man ni' his own weight, under 12 stone. “Nugget” Thompson challenged him for the light-heavy-weight championship, the result of the match being a draw, Sunni thus retaining his title. In a match for the heavy-weight title in 1923 he defeated Ernie Anderson, of Palmerston North, so quickly that the association asked him to give an exhibition with Ike Robin so that the crowd would see something for its

money. However the bout did not last long, Robin giving In alter 15 minutes. In the second bout with Robin Sunni suffered defeat. In bis wrestling career Sunni has bad 40 contests in India, seven in Australia, and about 30 in New Zealand. He claims to have lost only five out of the total which, considering he has wrestled with men much heavier than himself, is a wonderful record.

Once Sunni appeared as a boxer, being opposed to Jack Dailey in Australia in 1926. Something had gone wrong and Sunni was asked if he would “Give it a go.” He consented although he had never had a boxing glove on

Sunni is a worthy son of the East. He is a clean-liver and was one of the finest exponents of scientific wrestling every seen in a New Zealand ring. Monday night will show if he has retained his old time dexterity and suppleness. For over 20 years, John Kilonis has been an exponent of the art of wrestling, and during that time he lias had over 700 professional contests. Kilonis went to America from

Greece in 1906, and as he had been au athlete above the ordinary in his home country, he lost no time in getting into sport in the land of his adoption. He had many amateur contests, and, in addition, was an accomplished boxer, winning a large

A preliminary bout of three rounds between Pat McCarthy and Jim Heslin, who claims the heavy-weight title of Australia, will be staged prior to the big contest.

lumber ol t ups and medals a( botl’ I sports. When boo Partello, Italian professional heavy-weight champion, visited Boston, Oregon, in 11113, he challenged anyone to stay 15 minutes with him. If he did not defeat his man in that time, he would pay aim £5. Kilonis was tempted by the offer, and as he was an amateur, he wrestled the Italian under an assumed name. Partello could not defeat him in the time and had to pay out. However, Kilonis had been recognised, and he was not allowed to wrestle as an amateur again. He therefore joined the professional ranks. In 1914, at Glasgow, he defeated Bob Berry, and won the Lonsdale Belt, which he has with him in Auckland. In 1918, he defeated Waino Ketone for the middle-weight championship of the world, but in the same season lost it to Johnny Meyers. In a return bout in 1921, he defeated Meyers, who regained the title in 1922. Kilonis lias experienced difficulty in making the weight and he was advised to stop malting the middle-weight limit and compete in the light-heavy-weight class. In 1924 at Portland, Oregon, he defeated Billy Edwards for the light-heavy-weight championship of the world, but in the same year he iost it to Clarence Eckland. Kilonis says the last 12 years have been very successful. During his eight years In the middle-weight class, he wrestled the best at the weight, and in the past four years he has competed with the best light-heavy-weights and heavy-weights in the world. During the war Kilonis was one of the leading physical culture instructors. He was stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia. Of his 700 odd contests as a professional Kilonis has won 85 per cent., a great record considering the class of men he has met. He has suffered many injuries, including broken ribs and dislocated shoulders and ankles, but his fine physical condition had stood him In good stead, and he does not suffer any after-effects. Asked what he considered was the best hold in wrestling. Kilonis said he considered that physical fitness came before any hold. Physical perfection played the greatest part in match winning. "I have enjoyed my stay in New Zealand. It has been the best holiday I have ever had. When I come through to Australia either next year or the year after, I will call here to see the many friends I have made, and if there is any wrestling wanted I will engage In contests. I will probably have my family with me, and I want them to see this country. I have been round the world four times and New Zealand is easily the best country for sight-seeing. If America had a place like Rotorua it would have a city there nearly as big as New York.” Kilonis leaves Auckland for America on Tuesday by the Aorangi.