Paul Pons, Producent Wrestling Stars
Paul Pons był Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion Francji w 1890. Wygrał turniej w Folies-Bergère przed wygraną w turnieju w Rosji 1898. Te zwycięstwa pozwoliły mu zdobyć mistrzostwo świata w zapasach grecko-rzymskich. Pons wykorzystał ten rozgłos poprzez otwarcie siłowni do zapaśników pociągu i silnych mężczyzn.
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.
Paul Pons With His World Championship Belt from the Public Domain
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. Jednak, the recognized World Champion from 1901 do 1908 was George Hackenschmidt. Pons never defeated Hackenschmidt. Pons normally finished second or third in the tournaments “Siekać” entered.
Paul Pons was a giant of a man. He stood between 6’05” to 6’06” wysokości i ważył 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.
Paul Pons Plaque in France
W 1915, Paul Pons died at 49 lat. What caused his death or if it was related to World World I, I have not been able to find. Niestety, Pons is not well known outside of his native France today.
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