Three Olympics (24, 28, 32), two heavyweight freestyle gold medals (28 / 32), a fourth place in his first Olympic Games. An early win in 28 was against Ed Don George who just two years later, won the first of his two AWA World titles.
In a short search I found that after turning pro. after the 32 games, he won European tournaments, in Gothenburg and Stockholm and fought a draw with the legendary Joe Stetcher in 33. Over six feet tall and sixteen stones, he was a big man for those times and must have been a handful for any wrestler.
Now, to cut to the chase. According to wrestledata, on the 31st. of Jan. ‘38, at Madeleines Hall, Kingston upon Hull, the following wrestlers met in combat : Bengal Engblom bt. Jack Atherton, Rene La Belle bt. Doulas the Turk,
Nick Mercurio v Tiger Tasker and in the Main, JOHANN RICHTHOFF bt. Magerich Anaconda. (All wins recorded as 2-1).
There is an article in the Australian newspaper archive Trove that claims that RICHTHOFF was managing Jack Sherry in England in 38. Can anyone confirm that, as I have not been able to.
Does anyone have any information on other British appearances by RICHTHOFF, a guy who was just made to be squaring up to the best and biggest of those appearing in British wrestling rings. At the end of the search, fruitful or not, I believe this guy, needs to go into the A-Z.
First match here was probably this one.
He beat the Flower.
he then beat Anaconda