Paul Pons, Pembuat Bintang Gusti

Paul Pons merupakan Juara Gusti Greco-Roman Perancis di tahun 1890-an. Beliau memenangi kejohanan pada Folies-Bergeres sebelum memenangi kejohanan di Rusia pada 1898. These victories allowed him to claim the World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship. Pons kesempatan terkenal ini dengan membuka gym untuk gusti kereta api dan orang yang kuat.

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. Walau bagaimanapun, the recognized World Champion from 1901 kepada 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” tinggi dan berat 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.

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

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