Wrestling Guide

Radio Record, 3 July 1936, Page 3

Wrestling Guide

"Sporting Life’s" Splendid Book for Fans TF you are a radio wrestling fan, a regular ringside patron or an amateur wrestler, the "N.Z. SPORTING LIFE" GUIDE TO WRESTLING should have a place in your library. This splendid book, which has just been released by the publishers, is now procurable at all booksellers throughout New Zealand and cannot fail to make .a definite appeal to the many thousands who are interested in the great and popular’ sport of wrestling. HD publishers have "spared no effort to make the book the most elaborate and comprehensive. of its kind ever produced in New ‘Zealand. It is packed full of interesting information, and contains forty-five splendidly-reproduced half-page illustrations of holds used by professional wrestlers. These holds are properly classified, conveniently, indexed. for..ready reference, and are described with clarity, enabling the reader to form a.clear idea of how and to what purpose the holds are employed. ts The book also contains a special artpaper inset, illustrating the more spectacular holds such as the drop-kick (by Paul Boesch), the rocking-chair splits, Indian: deathlock, crucifix hold, ete, In’ addition there are many illustrations of -past and present professional wrestlers, including full-page plates of Warl McCready, George Walker, ‘Tiger Duala, and Steve Savage, while the halfpage illustrations of Blomfield, Elliott, Boesch, Woods, and Ike Robin, composite pictures of several other members of the 1936 team, and a full-page com-. posite of .sevyenteen famous wrestlers of past seasons complete an ,attractively-ar-ranged "portrait gallery." In the letterpress there is a wealth of information for the keen student of New Zealand wrestling-biographical and_ historical matter, reminiscences, wrestling rules, and several short articles. The book also contains the complete’ New Zealand wrestling ‘record: of -George Walker, giving a full list of his opponents from season 1929 to, 1935 (inclusive), where he met them, and the falls registered, The holds illustrated in the book were demonstrated by Walter Miller, holder of world’s championships in four divisions, assisted by those first-class wrestlers, Paul Boesch and, Joe Woods. There is no doubt that Miller was the greatest wrestler in his class in_ the world during the thirty odd years he was on the mat, and this, in itself, is a guarantee that the holds are properly portrayed. . The foreword was written by J. D. Willis, chairman of the Wrestling Union’s management committee, who, in comthe publication to the public, said: oan Country fans who are not able to witness big contests very frequently should be able, after a study of the photographs, to visualise the holds when they are referred to by name in broadcasts of matches, . . . The publishers are to be heartily congratulated on’ their venture, which should do much to encourage interest in a manly sport... ." During the few days the book has been on .the market the publishers have received many messages of congratulations, while several professional wrestlers per-

forming in the Dominion have voluntarily forwarded testimonials. Here are some: Har] McCready: "A great book-one of the best of its kind I. have ever seen. Well worth the money I should say." Paul Boesch: "I took part in the demonstrations, and modesty forbids me from saying a great deal. I- think the holds portrayed in the book should be of reel value to all fans." e Woods: "Congratulations. Has exmy expectations. Just what’s want7 zw

ed to educate people in the art of wrestling.’ Bob Kruse: "Thanks for the copy, and allow me to say that it’s one of the finest publications of its type I’ve -read. It will "Lofty" Blomfield: "As a New Zealander I want to say that the book is a eredit to a New Zealand publishing house." . o King Blliott: "I’m proud to have my photograph in the book. Thanks a lot." yey ve