The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-01
There Was No Taking When
Zbyszko Wrestled for His Life

suspicion were summarily dealt
with. Secret execution without
loss of time was the rule. Aberg,
so Zbyszko says, told the author
tiles that Zbyszko was not a
prominent wrestler. but merely an
imposter who used his reputation
to get around in Russia unmo-
Tested.
A Strange Trial.
The authorities, moved perhaps
by the wisdom of Solomon. or an
odd sense of humor, ordered that
Zoyszko must prove his quality by
wrestling Aberg.
\ How this turn of affairs suited
Aberg, Zbyszko doesn't know.
Aberg had no choice in the matter.
but he was in a far more fortunate
position than Zbyszko. The order
provided that IL Zbyszko lost the
match he should be executed i'm
mediately.
The bout was held in a big han
in Petrograd. packed with soldiers
friendly to Aberg, the Russian, and
anxious to see Zbyszko lose the
match and his life. Aberg, so
Zbyszko says, hired several hun.
dred soldiers to root for him in
the American style.
The contest lasted two hours and
forty three minutes, for Aberg wa.
first-class wrestler, strong and
tricky. and Zbyszko dared not take
chances. Finally he wore Aberg
down and pinned his shoulders to
the mat. Running to his corner
Zoyszko tore open a bag contain
ing a thousand roubles and threw
the money into the crowd. While
the soldiers scrambled for II
Zbyszko made his escape.
The authorities bothered him no
more, but let him go. In the early
days of Bolshevlki rule he could
not leave Russia, but wandered
around the country. with little
money and less to eat. The arm
istice signed, he crossed the border
to his home in Poland, half starved
and amazingly thin for such an
elephant of man. Food was
plentiful there. and Zbyszko quick
ly jumped from 200 to 275 pounds.
The fortune Zbyszko had before the
war was gone. He had to begin
all over again as a wrestler, and
as soon as he could, came to
America
First being fat man, and old.
Zbyszko had to go through a long
siege of training, for he wasn't
content to go transforming around
the country among the second rat
ers. So for months he put in an
hour day running and an hour
day on the mat. wearing heavy
clothing and eating little.
He took off forty pounds. and
his skin, recently stretched by lay
ers of fat. hung on him in folds.
But his muscles were powerful as
ever. and his endurance had come
back.
First he beat Soldier Leavitt, a
246-pound wrestler. then threw
Paroubney the Russian giant, six
feet six and 255 pounds in weight
Recovering top form, Zbyszko
worked his way up and won from
Stecher. Then he challenged
Stranger Lewis, the acknowledged
champion. They met in the 22d
Regiment Armory. New York, last
May. and Zbyszko startled the
wrestling world-and Lewis-by
throwing the Stranger in % min
utes and II seconds.
Last month l saw him beat Lewis
again, IN Madison square Garden,
winning two falls out of three
under the new rules of the COM
mission, which allowed flying falls.
Lewis had little chance with him.
When Lewis was on top, and Zby-
szko wanted to get up, the Pole
simply Strengthened his legs and
rose slowly to his feet, carrying
Lewis up with him. 1t was an
astonishing exhibition of power.
Lewis found it impossible to get a
deadlock on Zbyszko, who could
pull his head in between his great
shoulders like a turtle. That bald
dome offered no room for a grip.
Il will retain the championship
one year more, and then retire I'M
defeated" says Zbyszko.
His chances look very good.
Copyright. The Bell Syndicate, Inc. 1899.