One of the greatest athletes in the history of Ukraine.
On this day in 1949, in the Kuban region died a famous Ukrainian athlete, the professional wrestler Ivan Poddubny (1871-1949).
Ivan Poddubny — a famous Ukrainian professional wrestler, who in his life never visited on the blades. He was born in the village bogoduhovka of Poltava province of the Russian Empire and became a well-known fact that for 40 years of performances among professionals never lost a competition, championship or tournament.
The farmer of Cherkasy region 6 times in a row became the champion of the world. Over forty years of performances Poddubny never lost a championship and got the world recognition as the “champion of Champions”. A career as a fighter began in the circus, and then began to engage in professional wrestling.
Of his performances the audience went on a rampage in Paris and Milan, Frankfurt, new York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles. In General, Poddubny performed in 14 countries. Athletic whole life trying to stay away from politics. After the Bolshevik revolution he did not support nor white, neither red nor green, instead went to the cities and delighted the audience with their extraordinary abilities. But could not resist at the time of certification of 1932-1933, when his passport was written “Poddubny” and in the column nationality “Russian”.
This angered him and he appealed to various Soviet authorities that his name and nationality written correctly. But he politely refused.
Then the fighter himself has corrected the “about” with “and” and “Russian” to “Ukrainian”. And got in 1937 the NKVD in the Rostov-na-Donu on the article “anti-Soviet agitation and Ukrainian nationalism”. In conclusion, the athlete was subjected to torture, the scars on the body of the soldering iron he had left for life.
“I visited the devil in hell for the language and passport. But nothing, I am a fighter, a world champion, not a sprat on two legs” – sadly joked Poddubny. Sat in the NKVD for a few weeks, and then released him. It was rumored that he stood up the someone of the officials.
The second time Poddubny was arrested after the war. This time for collaborating with the Germans. Poddubny was not evacuated from Yeisk (Kuban), in which he lived before the war. On the question of why he left, replied: “Where to run? To die soon.”
The Nazis of world champion was treated respectfully, even allowed to wear the order of the red banner of Labor; issued products.
He worked in a pool hall and from time to time threw out the drunk Germans at the collar outside.
The latter was offended. Stepping back, I offered to go to Germany, but he refused.
From NKVD prisons Poddubny were released shortly after. Again for lack of evidence.
Century lived a famous athlete in the same Eyske in dire poverty. Not enough money even for bread, so was forced to sell his medals.
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