Russian Lion Defeats Terrible Turk

Pada hari Sabtu, Januari 30, 1904, George Hackenschmidt mempertahankan Championship Wrestling Greco-Roman Dunia menentang Ahmed Medrali. “The Lion Rusia” akan perlu kekalahan “The Terrible Turk” untuk mengekalkan kejohanan beliau. Promoter memilih Medrali gergasi, yang 6’02” dan 224 pound, untuk mengalahkan Hackenschmidt seolah-olah kebal.

George Hackenschmidt berdiri hanya 5’09” tinggi dan berat 209 pound. Despite his smaller stature, Hackenschmidt was considered one of the strongest men and possibly the strongest man in the world at the time. He would need that strength to deal with the size disadvantage posed by Medrali.

The men met at the Olympia Stadium in London. The Sunday, Januari 31, 1905 edisi Wichita Daily Eagle carried an account of the bout.

After the introductions, Hackenschmidt and Medrali tied up in the center of the ring. Medrali put his hand in Hackenschmidt’s face as a way of breaking his grip. Hackenschmidt grabbed Medrali’s wrist and moved behind him for a hammerlock. During the move into the hammerlock, Medrali’s arm was broken below the elbow. Hackenschmidt quickly slammed Medrali for the first and only pin at 41 seconds. Medrali forfeited the match.

This bout culminated a very successful run of tournament competition for George Hackenschmidt. Hack won most of the international tournaments between 1900 dan 1905. He was never defeated and only lost tournaments that he had to retire from with injury. He would not taste defeat in the ring until 1908 when he lost his title to the great Frank Gotch.

Hackenschmidt toured the United States and Australia after winning this tournament. He defeated many local wrestlers very few of whom could actually give him a match. Many fans still came out just to see Hackenschmidt. Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying if he could be someone else, he would be George Hackenschmidt. “The Lion Rusia” would leave a legacy in both wrestling and physical culture.

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