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Show TROUBLE COMING FOR WRESTLERS Tho Russian Lion and tho Terrible Turk Aro Headed for America in Search of Victims. An English paper, commenting on the recent bout for the wrestling championship cham-pionship of the world, between the "Russian Lion" and the "Terrible Turk," both of whom will soon come to this side of the Atlantic to meet tho local champions, snys: "The recent boom In the wrestling world culminated In the meeting of the hitherto undefeated rlynls in the art Hackenschmldt (yclept the 'Russian Lion") and Madrall (known in sporting circles as the 'Terrible Turk') to decide de-cide which was entitled to be dubbed tho champion of the world. "There was something very appropriate appropri-ate from a classical point of view In the selection of Olympla as the sceno of a contest Jn what Is known as the Greco-Roman Greco-Roman stj'le. Some writers have enlarged en-larged on the classical association by comparing this event to the deadly gladiatorial conlllcts In ancient Rome; but we would rather consider It in reference ref-erence to the festive Olympian games, which called only for skill and endurance. endur-ance. There was nothing of the fierce spirit which thirsted for scenes of blood and cried 'Chrlstlanl ad leones,' In tho teeming crowd which packed that vast building from end to end, and overflowed over-flowed with excitement, tinged with disappointment, at the too abrupt tcr- "Though the Turk's superior height and weight gave him a recognized advantage, ad-vantage, yet with tho exception of the thigh measurement, the neck, chest and biceps, figures were all in favor of tho Russian, whose shoulder-line Is much more symmetrical than the Turk's, which presents a somewhat convex appearance. ap-pearance. "Hackenschmldt, tho victor, Is without with-out doubt a fine specimen of a strong man all round an inspiration for artists art-ists and poets, as the distribution of his muscles Is most picturesque, and he possesses the 'muscle ripple' descanted on by Browning; but at the same tlmo there Is no over-development that muscular exaggeration which Is nlmost a deformity, and resembles an overblown over-blown tire and he combines agility with his strength, which Is a most Important Im-portant factor in wrestling, as he Is most nlmblo and a marvelous jumper for a man of his build. "All who closely observed him wcro struck by his pale and compressed faco and nervous manner; but there was no lack of determination It is very likely that ho is somewhat stale, and needs rest; but 'uneasy is the head that wears the crown of championship,' and he will have to be prepared to defend his title. "After all. his nervousness was moro like the restlessness of a thoroughbred before a race, and no indication of weakness. That fortune favored him in this brief encounter he would readily admit, but the elements which contributed contrib-uted mostly to his victory were his skill and dash which, combined with his strength, accomplished the result within with-in a minute so speedily, that In harmony har-mony with the classical associations already al-ready referred to, ho would be Justified In the announcement, Wcnl, vldl, vicl.' "As for Madrall, every one will sympathize sym-pathize with him in his Injury and disappointment dis-appointment 'TIs not in mortals to command success', and his commanding height and build was not enough to stave off defeat. He Is not nearly so compact a man as his opponent, and Is decidedly slow In getting to work, which may bo more In accord with Oriental natures. "His recent successes and unbeaten record seemed to Justify the odds, which were In his favor, and If ho recovers re-covers from his disablement he may retrieve re-trieve his laurels. It Is only fair to remember re-member that his stylo Is different, and that he Is a novice at the Greco-Roman method, but he magnanimously corr-Hented corr-Hented to adopt this form of wrestling in favor of his opponent, and In accord with his express conditions. He seems to havo taken his defeat with great composure, and accepted the Inevitable with good grace; so he fully deserved the sympathetic cheers which were accorded ac-corded him. "No one can say what the result might have been if this unfortunate accident ac-cident had not happened, and the struggle had not been cut short so abruptly. At all events, like those of the turf, cricket and the weather, wrestling may now be numbered among the 'glorious uncertainties' of life." |