Billy Meeske
Billy Meeske (b. 1891-deceased) was an Australian professional wrestler who was three-time Australian Heavyweight Champion and one time Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Champion. He was an active professional wrestler from 1922 to 1938, and he was credited as being a major influence in re-establishing professional wrestling in Australia following the First World War. During his professional wrestling career he also performed as part of vaudeville acts demonstrating feats of strength, such as supporting the weight of five men, feats of agility, and Russian dancing. While he achieved his greatest fame in professional wrestling he was also an all-round sportsman competing in many sports at the amateur and professional levels, and served in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War with the rank of Sergeant. Biography Early life Meeske was born in South Melbourne, Victoria, to Australian born parents and he would later claim to be 'purebred' Australian with the exception of one of his grandfather's grandfathers being Russian. He achieved renown as an all-round athlete in his youth, particularly for cycling, wrestling, heavyweight lifting, swimming, gymnastics, and as a motorcyclist. In 1903 he enrolled in the wrestling school of Weber and Rice. In 1907 he began cycling professionally,