Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-03
COTCH IS STILL CHAMPION
Humboldt Farmer Wins Two Falls
Over Zbyszko.
BULKY POLE IS AN EASY MARK
Twice the American Puts His Man
ON the Mat, Doing work In
Less Than Twenty-EiEht
Minutes.

CHICAGO, June 2--Frank Gotch Of
Humboldt Ia, successfully defended his
title as wrestling champion of the world
by easily defeating Stanislaus Zbyszko, the
Polish champion in straight falls at the
Coliseum last night. Gotch outclassed his
bulkier opponent in every department of the
game After winning the first fall in the
phenomenal time Of six and one-ouarter
seconds, it was only a question of how
long the Pole could hold out against the
brilliant and varied attack of his more
skilled rival.
The immense crowd had hardly realized
that the great match had started before
Referee Dick Fleming slapped Gotch on the
back and declared him the winner Of the
first fall. The hold which sent the Pole
down was bar arm and half Nelson. The
first fall came so quickly that there was
little intermission before the men faced
each other for the second time.
Warned by his sudden downfall, Zbyszko
was more cautious and 1t took Gotch
twenty-seven minutes and thirty-six Sec
onds to win the match with a bar armed
wrist lock.
Iowa Farmer ON Game.
The result of the battle showed that the
Iowa farmer is still without an equal in the
wrestling game. At no time was he in
any danger and when the Pole would Sc
cure any advantage, Gotch would quickly
break his hold and jump to his feet. The
American showed far greater knowledge Of
| the mat game than did his more deliberate
and slow thinking victim. Gotch would
fOrestall his opponent at every turn, and 1t
was worse than hopeless for the Pole to
nj n ha aUHraaQiya
The result demonstrated that Gotoh must
have been out OF condition, when he lost
the handicap match to zbyszko at Buffalo.
In that encounter Gotch agreed to throw
| the Role twice within an hour, but failed
| to get even one fall in the allotted time.
| The American champion was rendered a
great ovation at the conclusion of the
match. He was borne from the ring on
the shoulders Of howlng mob, while the
defeated Pole, with look of pain on his
face was barely able to stagger down the
ladder from the raised square.
Referee is Satisfied,
Referee Fleming said that there was no
doubt in his mind but that the first fall
was clean and decisive. A feeble protest
was registered by Jack Herman, the Poles
manager, but he apparently realized that
he had no grounds on which to base it,
| Zbyszko was the first to appear. the
Polish champion entering the ring at 10
o'clock. He was given a cordial reception
| by the crowd, but the demonstration was
small beside the ovation given Gotch as
he appeared four minutes after his on
ponent
After the photographing and announcing
the ring was cleared. After tae men shook
hands, Gotch stepped back bit and then
made fierce flying tackle and before the
Pole realized what was happening his
shoulders, were pinned to the mat. This
probably was the quickest fall ever de-
cided in championship bout.
| It was all over so quickly that Zbyszko
apparently was dazed and both he and
his manager, Jack Herman, protested to
Referee Dick Fleming. but their protests
were futile.
There was no doubt but that the fall was
real one, but 1t came so quickly that the
| spectators did not realize what had hap
pened.
! The Second Fall.
| The Pole was more wary at the begin
| ming of the second fall and kept Gotch at
Ia respectable distance. Gotch roughed 1t
considerably, but made little impression
on Zybszko's defense, After bulling 1t
about the ring for six minutes, Gotch Sc
cured a leg hold, and picking up his op-
ponent hurled him to the mat Gotch
| could not hold his advantage and the
Pole was on his feet within a few seconds
| After two minutes more of feinting and
trying for holds Gotch put zbyszko on the
defensive once more. During fifteen min
utes both men were on the defensive sew
eral times Gotch would stay behind the
Pole for a few minutes each time, but
Zbyszko was unable to keep the American
on the mat for any appreciable time.
Gotch showed far greater speed than his
opponent and wiggled out Of several en-
barrassing positions with lightning like
| speed,
Zbyszko showed a flash of promise when
he forced Gotch to the mat by sheer
| strength. The American endeavored to
extricate himself but he was lifted in the
air and slammed on the mat again. In
Hess than thirty seconds Gotch broke the
Poles hold and both men were back on
| their feet.
Zybszko was again forced to take the
defensive and Gotch TOUCHED him about
considerably. They rushed TO the ropes
and suddenly the Pole appeared to weaken.
A look of distress had crossed his face and
as he turned back to the center OF the ring
/ he was seized in vice like grip and in a
few seconds his shoulders were pinned tc
the mat with a bar arm and with wrist
| lock-