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1871/ 1902. Arriving in the UK

Coutalianos in the kingdom of the Great Victoria

“We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist. “

Queen Victoria

As a sailor that Coutalianos was, it was impossible not to pass through England. The athlete was there and toured various cities. He fought several opponents, but it was soon understood that his strength was rather supernatural. Some businessmen approached him to convince him to participate in fixed matches. He was offered enough money to accept being defeated by a rival, but he preferred the proud attitude of denial. The displays of strength he carried out in various cities of England causes feelings of admiration, but also envy because the English were proud and did not want to see a foreign athlete surpassing the natives in ability. One of the surprises Coutalianos experienced in Great Britain was the style the locals fought. Wrestlers shaved their heads and wore a type of shirt made of stiff cloth, while also being allowed to use their legs to kick their opponent. This type of wrestling was very violent and there were not a few athletes who were crippled by the heavy blows. Coutalianos agreed to participate by completely cutting off his luxuriant hair, but because he was winning all the matches, his participation was completely unprofitable for the bettors. Reading the English newspapers of that time one becomes a recipient of the admiration caused by the performance of the supernatural Panagis.

 
Sketch in the form of Coutalianos published in the newspaper “The News” of London. The columnist’s judgments are very favorable for the Greek athlete. (“Patris”, August 9, 1933)
“Collar and elbow”
A peculiar wrestling style established in Victorian England. Τhe brutal violence of this competition had left many athletes crippled.
“Catch as catch can”. It is a traditional wrestling style from England. A few decades later in the USA, this sport would evolve into the very popular “Catch”
Felice Napoli who was one of the greatest wrestlers of his time, was defeated by Coutalianos in Cardiff.
Indicative map of Coutalianos’ movements during the period 1871
Indicative map of Coutalianos’ movements during the period 1900-2
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