Zbyszko Bests Giant Nogert

On January 11, 1911, world heavyweight wrestling championship contender Stanislaus Zbysko faced the challenge of the powerful but less talented Peter “Giant” Nogert.  Nogert was a South African wrestler, who came to the United States for a few years in the early 1910s.  Due to a strong international reputation, a few American wrestlers had even claimed to be Nogert before he actually arrived.

Professor James Atlas promoted the matches in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Fans had shown up for Zbyszko’s previous two matches even though his challengers were not considered to be on his level.  Atlas secured Nogert’s appearance for January 1911 and immediately scheduled a match between Nogert and Zbyszko.

Nogert stood about 6’04” and weighed 245 pounds.  Zbyszko stood around 5’10” and weighed 227 pounds.  The correspondent for the Bridgeport Evening Farmer thought Nogert was actually stronger.  However, Zbyszko’s shorter limbs made him more powerful in the wrestling clinches.

Stanislaus Zbyszko usually out muscled his opponent and pinned him after wearing him out.  Nogert’s strategy was simple.  Every time Zbyszko grabbed him, Nogert simply shoved Zbyszko and his hold off.

Nogert’s strength surprised Zbyszko, who really began to push the pace on him.  Nogert continued to have success avoiding Zbyszko, who became desperate.  About 40 minutes into the match, Zbyszko rushed Nogert and dropped him to the mat with a hammerlock.  Zbyszko continued to grind the hold until Professor Atlas signaled a pin at the 40 minute mark.

After the first fall, both wrestlers were winded.  Whether fatigue played a role and Zbyszko reacted in panic or it was a simple accident, Nogert fell or was pushed from the raised platform, where they were wrestling.  With no ropes to prevent them from falling out of the ring, Nogert fell to the floor and landed on a ringside table.

Nogert’s large body hitting the table caused one of Nogert’s ribs to break.  Nogert was unable to continue.

Professor Atlas judged the fall to be an accident and awarded the bout to Zbyszko.  Had he believed Zbyszko pushed him on purpose, Atlas would have disqualified the Polish strongman.

The fans in attendance booed and hissed at Zbyszko as they felt Zbyszko purposefully pushed Nogert off the platform.  Zbyszko won the crowd back by announcing that despite the match being a winner-take-all contest, he was giving Nogert half the purse.  The fans cheered this show of sportsmanship.

In general, the Bridgeport, Connecticut fans went home happy.  They saw a competitive match between two exceptional wrestlers in their prime.  Professor Atlas brought a strong product to his fans.

Stanislaus Zbyszko continued to wrestle around the United States until 1914 but Nogert returned home to South Africa in 1911.  Zbyszko returned to the United States in 1919 during the prearranged era.  In 1921, he would win the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion in a “fixed” match.

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Sources:  Bridgeport Evening Farmer, January 6, 1911 edition p. 9, January 10, 1911 edition p. 7 and January 12, 1911 edition p.7.

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