The "Ouches" Were For Real

The days are gone, it would seem, when the grapplers decorating the wrestling mats throughout New Zealand performed their growls and grunts while the most genteel of holds were being applied In the latest two bouts at Nelson, between Stavro Lakis and Strangler Nelson, and diminutive Moe Sakata and hulking Rasputin, two of the mat men required hospital treatment – Lakis for a broken toe and Sakata for a bout of concussion received when Rasputin used his head as a hammer. Nelson beat Lakis and Rasputin beat Sakata in a very one-sided bout.

The pix above show Nelson on the receiving end for a change.

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

"Oh you horrible man"

×

 

• 

It s just too gory to watch so I won't"

×

 

• 

"I just can't bear it"

×

 

• 

"That's our boy"

The hirsute, long-haired, 20st Rasputin, is reported to be the most feared wrestler in Europe. After watching him in his first New Zealand bout, we can well understand why. The hold he applied to the 17st Sakata (above) lasted most of the first two rounds and left Sakata with bleeding gums. At top right. Sakata gets the upper hand and a scalp massage from a prone Rasputin.

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

Revenge, revenge, for Sakata, but referee Nelson Hill has doubts as to the val idity of the Samoan's hold.