Paul Pons, Outeur van Wrestling Stars

Paul Pons was die Grieks-Romeinse stoei kampioen van Frankryk in die 1890's. Hy het 'n toernooi by die Folies-Bergeres voordat die wen 'n toernooi in Rusland in 1898. Hierdie oorwinnings het hom toegelaat om die Grieks-Romeinse Wêreld-stoeikampioenskap te eis. Pons gekapitaliseer op hierdie bekendheid met die opening van 'n gimnasium te lei stoeiers en sterk manne.

Pons’ victory was particularly remarkable because of his age. Paul Pons was born in 1864 making him 34 years old at the time of his victory. While he was not ancient by grappling standards, he was getting up there. Several of Pons’ biographers claimed Pons won other World Championships after 1898 but many of these claims are hard to prove.

Several European countries held wrestling tournaments throughout the year. When a wrestler won one of the tournaments, he often claimed to be the World Champion. Egter, the recognized World Champion from 1901 te 1908 was George Hackenschmidt. Pons never defeated Hackenschmidt. Pons normally finished second or third in the tournaments “Hack” entered.

Paul Pons was a giant of a man. He stood between 6’05” to 6’06” tall and weighed 260 pounds in his prime. Pons was most famous for proving the legitimacy of up-and-coming wrestling stars. When George Hackenschmidt beat Paul Pons, the wrestling community knew he was a serious contendor for the World Championship.

Paul Pons made stars in the ring but he also made stars in the gym. One of his pupils was Constant LeVaux, Constant the Butcher, who won the French wrestling championship many times. George Hackenschmidt considered Constant a tough challenger.

In 1915, Paul Pons died at 49 jaar oud. What caused his death or if it was related to World World I, I have not been able to find. Ongelukkig, Pons is not well known outside of his native France today.

You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook bladsy en Twitter profiel.

Pin It