Im not suggesting that certain countries weren’t staging Vale Tudo fights at this time but this shows that we (the Brits) were competing in combat sports at a high level and not just in boxing.

I was over in Manchester last weekend and I happened to come across this interesting display in the war museum- yes I know i’m a nerd but you get the odd little gem like this so its worth it!

The photo is a poster for the All-In Wrestling World Heavy-Weight Championship’ and its in 1933!! The winner was Douglas Clarke, a yorkshire lad who was also a Rugby League international and it took place in my back yard- Leeds Rugby League Football Ground in Headingley.

Note the actual duration of the competition- 6 x 10 minute rounds! That is an exceptionally demanding period of time to be in the ring or cage and places huge stress on the aerobic system. What makes this story all the more remarkable is that Clarke had come straight out of the first world war where he had been British Army Champion but during his time  in the war he had been gassed in combat- not once, but twice!

I am a big believer in training people to experience far more than they will in competition and pushing through phychological barriers but this just shows you how far you can actually go! Apparently Clarke thought he was dead and that he wouldn’t see his family again. When he woke up in hospital and he found he was alright he decided that he would go on a build a career as an athlete, and he did a pretty good job of it!