Meet 3YA's Wrestling Announcer

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 14, 13 October 1933, Page 15

Meet 3YA's Wrestling Announcer

Iv Wellington last week for the Walker-Rumberg wrestting match was Norman Batchéelor, the man attached to the voice that listeners to Christchurch wrestling broadcasts know so well. Mr. Batchelor has been broadcasting the matches for 3YA for @ considerable time, and the big mail that he receives every weck is ample evidence of his popularity with the fans.

"Ft dowt believe in boosting a bout," he said to a "Radio Record" representative. "I tell the listeners what I see-no more, no less. I always make @ point, too, of knowing the wrestlers, and I have a great collection of signed photographs. Wrestling has been a hobby of mine for years, first in Auckland and then in Christchurch, and at the present time I’m a member of the executive of the Canterbury Wrestling Association." And take note, alt you Michaels who imagine that the Michael that Mr. Batchelor talks about over the air is one of yourselves. Michael is the announcer’s dog-and when "his master’s voice" comes through the loudspeaker, Michael fastens his forepaws on the front of the set and "stays put" till the broadcast és over. Norman Batchelor has an enviable record in the sporting world. He has held all the Canterbury middle-distance swimming records and is at present a member of the Taylor’s Mistake Surf and Life-saving-Olub. With him in Wellington last week was his wife, a Christchurch girl who, before her marriage, gave exhibitions of dancing at

many charity functions in Canterbury. Mrs. Batchelor is a keen wrestling fan, too. She eapected to be bored to tears at the first wrestling bout she attended and took a book with her. The bout thrilled her so much that she not only left the book unopened, but left i¢ at the stadiwn and never saw it again!