Having just reread "The Wrestling", combined with a number of other interviews, I was reminded just how many British wrestlers had backgrounds in Judo; Kendo Nagasaki (alledgedly), Doug Williams.. erm.. Jimmy Saville.. ok, so I can't think of too many specific names offhand, but I do know there were a lot. By contrast, the Americans generally acknowledge more of an amateur highschool wrestling background.

So, I was just wondering how much influence Judo has had on the British pro-wrestling _style_. Could any of the wrestlers or historians here kindly shed any light?

From 'Judo' Al Hayes to James Mason --most wrestlers here in the UK have a grounding in the martial arts , Judo being the most common. When my son approached James at a Croydon show several years ago with the age old question" How do I become a wrestler?" he was advised to go away and start in Judo first.

Keep the Faith, Dusty.

Dont forget Chris Adams

The Natrass Boys are pretty much into Judo, one of them Is Blackbelt and works a variaty of martial arts.

Andre Baker is an exponent of Judo (3rd Dan I believe). The Adams's brothers, ofcourse. Doug Williams won some judo tournaments I believe. Conscience has studied judo.

Trainee wise, Danny Oxman is a competitive Judo exponent in MPW.

I'd say judo has a big effect on British wrestling, and the _style_ is still present in classic British _style_.

Majik

I think that Judo is an excellent martial art and one of the better ways to get into wrestling. After a number of years as a Judoka, I tried wrestling at the Coventry _base_d MPW. Due to the nature of the art, where only grappling, throws and submissions are allowed in the "Sport" form of Judo I have found the transition to wrestling a relatively smooth one, easier perhaps than a total novice or an exponent of the striking arts.
Although I have studied striking arts too, Judo's key factor as a good _base_ for wrestling is the need to learn break falls or "Bumps" proficiently. Also, many wrestling techniques have origins in Judo or at the least, clear parallels.

Taz is a 2nd dan black belt in Judo and a few years back won the annual Empire State Judo Championship in New York.