Western Times, Ju-Jitsu versus Devon wrestling at Crediton: second report (1907)

INTERESTING CONTEST. Ju-Jitsu v. Devonshire Wrestling at Crediton. This Japanese form of self-defence is, without doubt, far superior to either the ancient or modern style of Devonshire or any other county form of wrestling, when matched side by side. The grips used are entirely different, and they are both effective and deadly in character.

An exhibition of two forms of wrestling took place in the Crediton Volunteer Drill Hall last week, when a well-known country gentleman, possessing a full knowledge of the Japanese method of self-defence, met a lightweight Devonshire wrestler “well in the know” of his County’s style, with scarcely more than 20 summers passed over him. The Ju-Jit-Su wrestler stripped at about 13 stone, looking as fit as a trivet to uphold the honour of his grips against all rival styles. The Devonshire player stripped at 10 stone, and, notwithstanding his 37 years, looked as willing for the fray as a schoolboy.

This player led off, and obtained the leg lock, and for a time both men bent to and fro like willows in the grip of an angry blast. Eventually, and slippery as an eel, the Dumpling changed over to the fore hip and brought his man down. This move rules at 10 to 1 on it for obtaining a fair back if caught at the “nick of the balance.” When down, however, the Ju-Jit-Su player left off the defensive, and sought for an advantage, knowing well that his opponent was then in troubled waters. Coiling about, however, as a whip from a fishing rod, his opponent ran over the vital parts of the Devonshire player’s body with the speed of a musician running up an octave until he reached a desired spot. Finally he placed a double leg lock around his opponent’s body, just below the abdomen. This brings one to a sitting position, and when once in it, his limbs are as useless to him as those of a fly in a newly-made web. Several interesting bouts followed, in which the Devonshire player excelled in his own style, and the Ju-Jit-Su player likewise at his own game. DIVER.