VISITING WRESTLER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 209, 4 August 1937, Page 5

VISITING WRESTLER

WESTCOATT IMPRESSES. Standing over six feet and weighing over seventeen stone, “Rusty” Weseoatt, the wrestler from Hawaii, certainly looked very fit when he was interviewed by a “Standard” reporter this morning. He said he was looking forward to his bout with “Lofty” Blomfield to-night, adding that “when it’s over Lofty will sure know he’s been wrestling.” Wescoatt comes to New Zealand with a good record; lie has been Hawaiian champion for several years, and has defeated many high-class Americans. “A second-rate wrestler could stand no chance in this country,” he stated. “The people are very keen on the game and, what is more, they know wrestling and are more appreciative of a good display than the people in many other parts of the world.” Asked if he had any special holt, Wescoatt said that tonight he would endeavour to bring info action his famous. surfboard holt. He had the reputation of having outdropkicked Savoldi and, last week, of having taken a ffill over McCready in less than 15 seconds.

Before he gave liis whole attention to wrestling, the visitor said, swimming was his hobby and he was still the holder of world’s records—long distance aoross the Golden Gate at the entrance to San Francisco harbour, and the 100 yards backstroke. He bad played a good deal of football, but it, was the American game and not Rugby; the latter, however, lie was beginning to understand, “f trained yesterday with your Manawatu team,” he added, “and tough lads they are. 1 have accepted the invitation to be their maspot today and no one will be more delighted than I will if thev win.”

In his trip to New Zealand the wrestler is accompanied by his wife, who was a Hollywood resident and bad played leading screen roles, her last being with James Cagney in “The G. Men.” Her screen name had been Vivian Du Barre.