GREAT WRESTLING MATCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 85, 30 September 1911, Page 7

GREAT WRESTLING MATCH

ROW GOTCII I!KAT HACKE.v , : SCHMIDT. (!- .RUSSIAN ILNTIUINED. Chicago. September 4 The groat wrestling match between I r.iirik Gbtch, the American champion, and' George 51ocken.schmidt. tins Hussion l>ion, took 'place to-day. . I Inimeiise interest was taken in the cvcht; ami the liaacball Park. where the epiit'e.-it was decided, was not large enough •tp -.lccoiniiKKliito the crowd. jAS'it: was, 30,0(10 were around the areikt at i o'clock, while there were 40,000 outside clamouring for admission. It was feared'that there would be trouble, 'file police, however, were well represented, and kept the crowd in check. While the crowd waited for the champions to appear there were rumors Hying aj'onml to the effect that the referee would officially declare bets oil. It was reported everywhere that llackenschmidt was untrained, and in apparent substantiation of this roport the Russian's friends seemed reluctant to wager. Gotch was accompanied by his manager, Klank, Farmer ISurns, and' Westergiinrd Rogers. Immediately upon entering the arena, Gotch, catching sight of his wife, and aged mother, who occupied a box, moved

to them. The Chief of Police, ilcSweeney, lost no time ill dwlariiig that all bets were oil'. ("iotch appealed nervous. The reports with regard to Mackenschmidt's condition were to a certain extent confirmed when he made his appearance, ina-mueh as he had a visible corporation. After sparring for holds, the Russian tried a tvip, but Uolcl) was too quick, anil with a leg hold dropped the Itussian on to lii.s face.

Regaining his feet qui<kly. IlackenSchmidt manoeuvred, and got heliind his opponent, witll the result that he momentarily threw Ootch. J'.otll ineii ausumed a crouching attitude. and they sparred for an opening. Jlaekenschmidt rushed in and attempted to turn do toll over with a trip. The American's alertness, however, enabled him to secure llackcnselimidt's foot. He stood him on his head, the crowd yelling and cheering their countryman 011. Sim-, ullaneouH witll his act Cotch's right hand sought the ltu-sian's leg while his left hand' closed like a tentacle 011 his ri,.'ht wrist. Then a reverse body-lock-wriat-hold' won the lirst fall for Ootcb. The bout had laiited 14-min Msec, and the crowd were almost hysterical in its delight. After (he handshake it was apparent that dutch was move coiilidenl, while llackeiisclmiidt changed his tactics. He set about to wear Uotch down by Ms I bull-like strength. The ell'ort induced' roughness, and each man bore traces of the struggle; 1 In live and a-lialf minutes of atreni

ous effort, on the part of each man Gotetb secured the famous toe hold, which in the previous contest had so disconcerted the Russian, and which it is declared has never been- broken by any man. The Russian Lion {ailed to counter the dreadful hold, and in a few seconils had signalled his defeat, The second fall was, therefore, Gotch's, and he was declared the winner to the accompaniment of tumultuous cheering. Gotch demonstrated his superiority throughout thif'contest in every turn and twist. The explanation of the decisive' defeat of the .Lion rested on the faet that Gotch was trained to nicety, whilst his opiponwt was hog fat. Jttek .{Jikrley. the manager of ITaekcnschmidjt, (ityln-red that his wan was injured a.s jln' result of the toe hold, the ligaments ,'b,eingso hadlv torn by Gotch's iron gojiip }hat lie was compelled to quit.