Frank Gotch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Gotch |
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Gotch in 1917
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| Birth name | Frank Alvin Gotch |
| Born | April 27, 1877 Humboldt, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 1917 (aged 40) Humboldt, Iowa, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Uremia poisoning |
| Spouse(s) |
Gladys Oestrich
(m. 1911; died 1917) |
| Children | 1 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Frank Gotch Frank Kennedy |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Billed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Trained by | Martin Burns |
| Debut | 1899 |
| Retired | 1913 |
Frank Alvin Gotch (born April 27, 1877 – died December 17, 1917) was a famous American professional wrestler. He was the first American to win the world heavyweight wrestling title. Gotch is known for making professional wrestling very popular across the United States.
Back then, championship wrestling matches were often real contests. Gotch held his world title from 1908 to 1913, which is one of the longest reigns ever. He became one of America's most popular athletes in the early 1900s. Many people consider him one of the best North American professional wrestlers of his time.
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Early Life and Wrestling Start
Frank Gotch grew up on a small farm near Humboldt, Iowa. His parents were Frederick Rudolph and Amelia Gotch. As a teenager, he started wrestling and quickly became known for beating local opponents. He developed a special move called the toe hold, which became his signature finishing move.
Becoming a Wrestling Champion
Gotch had his first wrestling match in 1899 and won. His first big challenge came against Dan McLeod, who was the American Heavyweight Champion. Gotch lost that tough match but impressed McLeod. Later, he also impressed "Farmer" Martin Burns, another former champion, who offered to train him.
Under Burns's guidance, Gotch won many matches in Iowa and later in the Yukon. In the Yukon, he wrestled as Frank Kennedy and earned the title "Champion of the Klondike."
Winning the American Title
After returning to Iowa, Gotch challenged Tom Jenkins, the American Heavyweight Champion. Gotch lost their first match in 1903. However, he defeated Jenkins in a rematch on January 27, 1904, to win the championship. Gotch and Jenkins traded the title a few times.
The Big Match: Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt
Gotch then set his sights on the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship. This title was held by the undefeated Estonian wrestler George Hackenschmidt, also known as the "Russian Lion." Hackenschmidt had won the world title by beating Jenkins in 1905.
Gotch and Hackenschmidt finally met on April 3, 1908, in Chicago. Hackenschmidt was not in his best shape, but Gotch was ready. Gotch used his speed, strong defense, and tough tactics to wear Hackenschmidt down. They wrestled for two hours before Gotch took Hackenschmidt down. Gotch kept leaning on Hackenschmidt to tire him out. Hackenschmidt complained about Gotch's rough tactics, but the referee let the match continue.
After two hours, Hackenschmidt was exhausted. Gotch used his famous toe hold, and Hackenschmidt gave up the first fall. Hackenschmidt then refused to return for the second fall, giving the world championship to Gotch. He said Gotch was "the greatest man by far I ever met."
Reigning as World Champion
As the new world champion, Gotch spent the next three years proving he was the best. He defeated top wrestlers like Jenkins, Dr. Ben Roller, and Stanislaus Zbyszko. His win over Zbyszko on June 1, 1910, was very impressive. Gotch won both falls quickly, showing his complete dominance.
Gotch became a national hero. People wanted to see him everywhere. He even starred in a play called All About A Bout. President Theodore Roosevelt invited him to the White House, where Gotch wrestled and defeated a Japanese ju-jitsu expert. Gotch made wrestling a huge sport, drawing large crowds wherever he went.
The Rematch: Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt II
Gotch and Hackenschmidt met again on September 4, 1911, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Nearly 30,000 fans watched, setting a record for ticket sales. This rematch is one of the most talked-about matches in wrestling history.
Before the match, Hackenschmidt injured his knee during training. Despite the injury, Hackenschmidt said he was "fit to wrestle for my life." Gotch quickly found the injured knee and used it to his advantage. Hackenschmidt lost in two quick falls in just 30 minutes. Gotch used his toe hold again to force Hackenschmidt to quit.
Gotch remained the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion until he retired in 1913. He had held the title for nearly five years. Only a few other champions in wrestling history, like Bruno Sammartino and Lou Thesz, have had longer reigns.
Gotch's Wrestling Style
Gotch was an amazing wrestler. He had incredible strength, quickness, and agility. He was also very skilled with wrestling moves and strategies. He was always in top physical condition and had a strong desire to win.
Some people described Gotch as a very aggressive wrestler. They said he was always looking for an advantage in a match. However, everyone agreed he was one of the best wrestlers ever. He combined the strength of older wrestling styles with the skill of newer techniques.
Gotch's measurements for his 1911 match against Hackenschmidt were: 33 years old, 204 pounds, 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Family Life
Frank Gotch married Gladys Oestrich on February 11, 1911. They had one son, Robert Frederick Gotch.
Retirement and Passing
After retiring from wrestling, Gotch joined the Sells-Floto Circus. He offered $250 to anyone who could last 15 minutes against him without being pinned. No one ever won the money. He eventually stopped touring and moved back to Humboldt, Iowa.
After a year of health problems, Frank Gotch passed away at home in 1917. He was buried with his wife Gladys and their son, Robert, in the Gotch mausoleum in Union Cemetery in Humboldt.
Gotch's Lasting Impact
Frank Gotch had a huge impact on American wrestling. He was like a superstar of his time, similar to famous boxer John L. Sullivan. He made professional wrestling incredibly popular, drawing bigger crowds than even boxing champions.
His matches with George Hackenschmidt were major sports events, like today's Super Bowl. They helped start organized amateur wrestling in high schools and colleges across the United States. Gotch's success helped make wrestling a mainstream sport. He was a true sports idol, inspiring many.
Awards and Tributes
Frank Gotch has received many honors for his wrestling career:
- He was one of the first people chosen for the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame (1951).
- He was the first person inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (2002).
- He was also inducted into the George Tragos & Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999).
- In 2016, Gotch was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a "Legacy" member.
There is a 67-acre camping park named Frank A. Gotch State Park near his childhood farm in Humboldt, Iowa. The Humboldt Community School District also hosts an annual Frank Gotch Wrestling Tournament. Iowa is still a strong wrestling state today, partly because of Gotch's legacy.
On July 4, 2012, an eight-foot tall bronze statue of Gotch was unveiled in Bicknell Park in Humboldt. A street near the park was also renamed Frank Gotch Boulevard. The Dan Gable Wrestling Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, has a large collection of Gotch's items, including his wrestling shoes and desk.
Other wrestlers, like Karl Gotch and Simon Gotch, have taken their wrestling names to honor him.
Championships and Accomplishments
Catch wrestling
- American Catch-as-Catch-can Championship (1 time)
- World Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship (1 time)
Professional wrestling
- American Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (3 times)
- Champion of the Klondike
- World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (1 time)
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 1999
- International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2021
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
- Iowa Sports Hall of Fame
- Class of 1951
See also
- "Karl Gotch": a moniker taken in honour of Frank Gotch.
- "Simon Gotch": a moniker taken in honour of Frank Gotch.
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths
