Sailor Art Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seaman Art Thomas |
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| Birth name | Arthur Thomas |
| Born | January 30, 1924 Gurdon, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 2003 (aged 79) Fitchburg, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Children | 7 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Art Thomas The Body Hercules Sailor Thomas |
| Billed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Billed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Billed from | Fitchburg, Wisconsin |
| Debut | 1943 |
| Retired | 1981 |
Arthur Thomas (born January 30, 1924 – died March 20, 2003) was a famous American athlete. He was known by his wrestling names, Sailor Art Thomas or Seaman Art Thomas. Arthur was a Merchant Mariner, a strong bodybuilder, and a skilled professional wrestler. He even became a WWA World Heavyweight Champion. Years after his passing, in 2016, he was honored by being added to the WWE Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Arthur Thomas was born in a town called Gurdon, Arkansas, in the United States, on January 30, 1924. His parents were Alfred and Jessie Thomas. When he was about 11 years old, in 1935, his family moved to Madison, Wisconsin. After his mother passed away, Arthur lived in an orphanage and with different foster families in Wisconsin.
Serving His Country
Arthur Thomas dedicated over two years of his life to the United States Merchant Marine. This group helps transport goods and supplies by sea, especially during times of need. Arthur was part of a special construction team. He helped build an airstrip, which is like a runway for airplanes, on the island of Guam.
Stepping into the Wrestling Ring
After his time in the Merchant Marine, Arthur first worked for a bus company called Greyhound Lines. Soon, his amazing strength led him to become a professional bodybuilder. He joined a group of bodybuilders and traveled all over the United States, showing off his muscles.
A wrestling promoter named Jimmy Demetral noticed Arthur's talent. He encouraged Arthur to train as a professional wrestler. Arthur made his first wrestling appearance in 1943. When he entered the ring, he often wore a special Navy uniform, making him look like a sailor who had just finished his service. He would often stand up against the "bad guys" in wrestling who used unfair tricks.
Winning Championships and Teamwork
In the early 1960s, Sailor Art Thomas became very successful in wrestling. He won many tag team championships, which are titles won by two wrestlers working together. He won the WWA International Television Tag Team Championship with Lou Thesz in California. He also won the NWA International Tag Team Championship with John Paul Henning in Toronto. In Detroit, he teamed up with Bobo Brazil to win the NWA Detroit World Tag Team Championship.
Arthur also won individual titles. In 1962 and 1963, he twice won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship in Texas. From 1963 to 1964, he wrestled for the World Wide Wrestling Federation. During this time, he often teamed up with famous wrestlers like Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino.
A World Champion
A big moment in his career happened in April 1972. Sailor Art Thomas won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship. This was a major title from the World Wrestling Association in Indianapolis. He won it by defeating a wrestler named Baron von Raschke. The next month, after another match with von Raschke, the championship title was temporarily put on hold.
Sailor Art Thomas decided to retire from professional wrestling in 1981. He had a long and successful career.
Life Outside the Ring
Arthur Thomas was a family man and had seven children. He passed away on March 20, 2003, after a short illness. He was 79 years old.
Legacy
When Sailor Art Thomas entered the world of professional wrestling, the "color barrier" was still a very real challenge. Many sports and entertainment industries had not yet fully opened their doors to African American athletes. But Art Thomas was not someone who gave up easily. He faced these challenges with courage and determination.
He stepped into the wrestling ring, not just as a powerful athlete, but as a symbol of change. Every match he wrestled, every victory he earned, helped to chip away at those unfair barriers. He showed audiences across the country that talent knows no color. His incredible strength, exciting moves, and charismatic personality quickly made him a fan favorite. People loved watching him wrestle because he was genuinely good at what he did!
By becoming a recognized champion and a popular star, Art Thomas helped to open doors for other wrestlers of color who came after him. He showed promoters and fans that diverse talent could draw huge crowds and make wrestling even more exciting. He proved that the sport was better when everyone had a fair chance to compete and succeed. His legacy is not just about his powerful body slams or impressive holds, but about his role in making professional wrestling a more inclusive and fair sport.
Sailor Art Thomas's Amazing Achievements
Sailor Art Thomas achieved many great things during his wrestling career. Here are some of his most important accomplishments:
- Big Time Wrestling
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) – with Bobo Brazil
- Maple Leaf Wrestling
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (3 times) – with John Paul Henning
- Southwest Sports
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- World Wrestling Association
- WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Worldwide Wrestling Associates
- WWA International Television Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lou Thesz
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
