Martin Burns
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Martin Burns, nicknamed Farmer Burns, was an American catch wrestler, wrestling coach, and teacher. Born in Cedar County, Iowa, he started wrestling as a teenager and made money traveling around the M
Burns (left) with apprentice Frank Gotch, c. 1905
Reverse Back-body-hold as illustrated in Lessons in Wrestling & Physical Culture by Martin Burns.
Farmer Burns grave in St. James Cemetery
Wrestling Sikeston, MO 1938 1
Frank Gotch
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Frank Alvin Gotch was an American professional wrestler who was the first American to win the World Heavyweight Championship in catch wrestling, and is credited for popularizing professional wrestling
Martin Burns
…and helped to establish schools that enlightened young grapplers to the world of catch wrestling. In 1899, Burns defeated a 21-year-old Iowan named Frank Gotch, but he recognized his raw talent and recruited him as his prized student. Burns would then mold Gotch into perhaps the greatest wrestling champion of…
Frank gotch
Gotch facing Georg Hackenschmidt at Comiskey Park