Laurent Gerstmans | |
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Born | Antwerp, Belgium | 26 February 1885
Died | April 3, 1955 |
Laurent Gerstmans (26 February 1885 – 3 April 1955 [1]) was a Belgian wrestler. He competed in the heavyweight event at the 1912 Summer Olympics. [2] [3]
Gerstmans was a dock worker originally. [4] He was said to be a legend of the Antwerp wrestling scene and was nicknammed, "Apollo". [4] He was a European wrestling champion and had once competed for a version of the world heavyweight title. [5] [6] Gertmans also competed as a professional boxer [7] [8] and once defeated Japanese jiu-hitsu legend Mikinosuke Kawaishi in a match. [5] Gertsmans wrestled in places such as England and Madison Square Garden throughout his career. [9]
After retiring from the ring, he opened Café Jozef in Astridplein. [4] He was later honored with a mural on Constitutiestraat 11 street in Antwerp, Belgium. [4] In 2015, a professional wrestling tournament was held in Antwerp called the "Laurent Gerstmans Cup". [10]
Laurent Gerstmans | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | Antwerp, Belgium | 26 February 1885
Died | April 3, 1955 |
Laurent Gerstmans (26 February 1885 – 3 April 1955 [1]) was a Belgian wrestler. He competed in the heavyweight event at the 1912 Summer Olympics. [2] [3]
Gerstmans was a dock worker originally. [4] He was said to be a legend of the Antwerp wrestling scene and was nicknammed, "Apollo". [4] He was a European wrestling champion and had once competed for a version of the world heavyweight title. [5] [6] Gertmans also competed as a professional boxer [7] [8] and once defeated Japanese jiu-hitsu legend Mikinosuke Kawaishi in a match. [5] Gertsmans wrestled in places such as England and Madison Square Garden throughout his career. [9]
After retiring from the ring, he opened Café Jozef in Astridplein. [4] He was later honored with a mural on Constitutiestraat 11 street in Antwerp, Belgium. [4] In 2015, a professional wrestling tournament was held in Antwerp called the "Laurent Gerstmans Cup". [10]