Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1914 — CHAMPION GOTCH PINS YUSSIF MAHMOUT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHAMPION GOTCH PINS YUSSIF MAHMOUT

April 14, 1909, Gotch met and defeated Yussif Mabmout, Bulgarian, at the Dexter Park pavillion in Chicago. It was one-of-tbe great battles of the world champion’s career. Although the match lasted less than half an hour vastly more wrestling of the strenuous kind was packed into it than in the championship battle between Hackenschmidt and Gotch. Mahmout had defeated every wrestler of promihence 'except Gotch In America. He had proved a whirlwind against such wrestlers as Cutler, Americus and Beell. Gotch knew he was to face a dangerous wrestler of the aggressive type. He knew Mahmout possessed great strength and unusual endurance. The world’s champion objected to the Bulgarian’s wrestling in his bare feet. Anton Pierri, Mahmout’s manager, explained that it was customary for wrestlers to grapple in their bare feet in Bulgaria and Turkey. The Turk finally, consented to forfeit SSOO for this infraction of the rules. Gotch had trained faithfully for this match, realizing that he was to be opposed by a foe of exceptional class and as game as any wrestler who ever stepped on the padded canvas. Constant drill on the mat and long sprints on the road had put him in splendid condition. When the referee called time, Gotch backed away from his corner,' wheeled about with a determined look on his face and rushed into the referee hold with the Bulgarian. Mahmout seemed a trifle nervous. Gotch rushed in with the evident intent of making short work of his opponent. He pulled Mahmout forward with a head hold and the Bulgarian looked worried. Gotch tried for an arm hold, but Mahmout ducked away. The wrestlers milled It in fast fashion. There was plenty of action. Mahmout rushed for a leg hold but Gotch dodged away. Gotch bored in and Mahmout pushed him away. Gotch

went to bis knees and secured a leg bold. Mahmout fought frantically to break away. The wrestlers went to the ropes. Mahmout grasped the ropes in a desperate effort to escape, but Gotch gained a hold and drew him to the mat. Gotch feinted for a toe hold and then encircled Mahmout’s near leg for a crotch. The Bulgarian turned over on his side and Gotch secured a half nelson. Mahmout struggled long to escape from this grip, but finally Buccumbed amid a thunderous demonstration that lasted many minutes. The crowd, which feared America might lose the wrestling championship, gave Gotch one of the big demonstrations of his life. Gotch, following up his advantage, rushed Mahmout hard in the second bout. The Bulgarian, knowing he was outclassed, fought every second of the time. Gotch secured an arm hold but Mahmout broke the grip. Gotch pushed Mahmout back and then secured a double bar lock and rushed him into the ropes. There waa a wild scramble, Mahmout fighting desperately. The Bulgarian went to the', top apd the crowd cheered him. Gotch came to a sitting posture and then by sheer strength broke a waist bold, and went to the top. Gotch tried for the toe hold but Mahmout broke away. In another shuffle Hi the middle of the mat Mahmout went down. Gotch tried for a hammerlock and the wrestlers grappled to the ropes. They were ordered to the center of the mat Mahmout refused to give the same hold and the referee appealed to the Bulgarian’s manager. Mahmout broke a hammerlock hold. Gotch secured a half nelson and the crotch and the crowd began to see the finish of Mahmout. Slowly but surely the shoulder blades of the game Bulgarian were pressed to the mat by the world’s champion. Mahmout was so disappointed over his defeat that he wept bitterly. (Copyright, 1913. by Joseph B. Bowles.)

Gotch Working for a Toehold.