1870. Panagis in Bordeaux

The wrestling school of Bernard Magnelle and the participation of the Greek athlete in the Franco-Prussian war.

“If you look for a meaning, you’ll miss everything that happens.”

Andrei Tarkovsky

    Coutaliano’s transition to France was very adventurous. At that time, France had the reputation of a country with many and very capable wrestlers, in other words, it was considered the center of wrestling. Coutalianos therefore wanted to go there to learn the secrets of the sport, acquiring the necessary technical knowledge that would transform him into a professional wrestler. Coutalianos, arriving at the city of Tarbes, which is near Bordeaux , became a member of the wrestling club of the famous wrestler Bernard Magnelle and during his stay there he fought and defeated the most famous French wrestlers.

In an interview that Coutalianos gave to “Aristophanes” newspaper, he lists the names of the wrestlers he faced and defeated. Most of these names are well-known in the history of the sport, but it is also reported that Coutalianos defeated Bernard himself who was his teacher. Next we quote the list of names, written in French language and within parentheses those of which we were able to compare with French courses.

1) Ζαντιέν/ Z’adien (Etienne Garnier, dit le Rocher de la Loire) 2) Ποτιπικάρ/Poticart (Picard, l’ Agile Bordelais) 3) Ραμπασών/Rabasson (Rabasson du Midi ή dit le petit Paysan) 4) Άνγουστ (Auguste le Marin) 5) Μιλώμ Σανπικιέ (Milhomme, dit sans pitie)  6) Ραμπάρ Ντενίς/ Rempart Denis “The wall of Nicee” (το Ντουβάρι/duvar -in turkish language duvar=wall- της Νίσας/Nίκαιας ) 7) Ραλουρέ/Rallouret 8) Μαρσαντώ/Marchandeau 9) Αντωνέ/ Antonin, 10) Μιλού/ Milout 11) Μπιζού/ Bizout 12) Φαουέτ (Faouet) 13) Αιμίλιος Σπανιόλος (Emile Jentien dit l’ Espagnol) και  14) Μπερζέ μπεχλιβάνης-pehlivan /Berzais lutteur ( probably refers to Βeranger, but also to Bergez, dit l’ indomptable agenais)

However, while he was in France, Coutalianos was a bit unlucky, because the Franco-Prussian war broke out. Coutalianos followed his fellow athletes to the front line when it ended he left France to go to England.