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1940: Wrestling

Wrestling among amateurs of recognized organizations continues to register a pick-up in popular approval as expressed in the number of competitors and spectators in colleges, clubs, and athletic groups. The professional game continues to lose interest because of lack of prestige of its so-called championship contests and the loss of standing of its pseudo-title holders who claim 'championship' crowns of various states and cities.

Since the kingpin mat-men are attracted to the national A. A. U. championships, the winners must be accepted as the leaders for the year. The title events held at Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa, drew competitors from every section of the United States, with more than ninety wrestlers competing in the nine classes. The quality and caliber of the wrestling exhibited by the new champions caused all of the former national title holders to lose their titles in favor of district, sectional, and state champions.

The team title went to the West Side (New York) Y. M. C. A., replacing the New York A. C. team. Individual winners were: heavyweight, Wilbur Nead, Iowa City; 191-lb. class, Edward H. Valorz, University of Chicago Alumni Assn.; 174-lb. class, Henry Wittenberg, West Side Y. M. C. A.; 158-lb. class, Edward Blake, Baltimore Y. M. C. A.; 145-lb. class, E. Viskocil, Iowa; 134-lb. class, R. Cheney, Iowa; 123-lb. class, D. E. Hanson, Minneapolis; 118-lb. class, C. Fredericks, Purdue; 112-lb. class, G. Leeman, Iowa. This meet was considered the best in many years.

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