QUOTES ABOUT GUSTAV FRIŠTENSKÝ

"Gustav Fristensky was for me a great figure in wrestling and an example as an athlete. I presume not only for me, but for all Czechs. He represented courage, ability and moral competence that need to be recognized and remembered not only by all athletes, but by all people."

Petr Kment, Czech wrestling champion
European Champion 1968
Olympic Games 1968, Bronze medalist

"One of the greatest physiques of all time belonged to the Czech wrestler Gustav Fristensky."

David Chapman, Ironman Magazine
July 1993

"I know what it means to lift by one-hand 240 pounds weighing barbell overhead, I know what it means in a top competition to add half a pound onto the barbell. It's like adding 20 pounds. You were a magician on the mat during a perplexed situations when we spectators were holding our breaths and it already seemed that you are going to be defeated. But through one ingenious quick maneuver, as if by magic, suddenly the opponent found himself in distress, or on his shoulders. In this moment, the audience's roar was endless and this sudden joy was completely understandable because of your abrupt victory when seconds before our hearts were anxiously trembling fearing your defeat. However, even a layman could understand that in this moment power was skillfully united with technique, cool thinking with dexterity, when a rough and gigantic mass of flesh succumbed to a beautiful and lean muscular body, when David defeated Goliath. It is only the rare ability, exceptional skill and power, extraordinary effort, tenacity and endurance, endless training and willpower were united as one and provided us with the famous person, named Gustav Frištensky, which penetrated the whole world, a person quite unique in the history of the sport."

Bohumil Brabec Member of the Athletic Club Fristensky, Vienna, Austria
1951

"Unfortunately, I had never heard of Gustav Fristensky until I read an all too brief a passage about his exploits in David Willoughby's 'Super Athletes', what immediately struck me was that here was indeed a three dimensional athlete; one who truly epitomized not only all the components of fitness but also two of the four Commando Values, namely determination and courage. As such Gustav now serves as an inspirational figure not only for my training, but as a shining example of 'Combat Conditioning' for future generations of Royal Marine Physical Training Instructors; Gustav's feats have been included as an illustration of 'Combat Conditioning' in the Royal Marines Physical Training School lecture presentations. Gustav Fristensky thoroughly deserves wider recognition as a 'super' athlete, as such many more 'warriors' would have a truly remarkable, all natural idol to inspire and emulate."

Robert Beauchamp, 42 years old. Former Royal Marine Commando Physical Training Instructor, England
2012

"Gustav Fristensky has a remarkably well developed musculature. He possesses wide variety of wrestling skills and an astonishing endurance. This along with original and energetic style of competition against the best rivals has granted him tremendous inclination of the Viennese spectators…"

Allgemeine Sportzeitung, Vienna, Austria
1905

FRISTENSKY WINS OPENING MATCH
"Chicago, Jan. 13.—Gustav Fristensky, Europe's latest wrestling slap, made his American debut at the Coliseum last night, winning in straight falls from Gus Schoenlein (Americus). Americus, probably the best American wrestler, with the exception of Frank Gotch, never had a chance."

HAMILTON EVENING JOURNAL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1914

"….Fristensky who has thrown every body of late, is well spoken of by the eastern critics, and if given a chance might fool a few!!

Out of all the foreign wrestlers that are now pestering the public is this Fristensky person seems to be the goods. He defeated Americus recently. Challenger told the writer the other day that Fristensky was amateurish but, that once he had hold of his man that he could do impossible things with him. "

THE SAN ANTONIO LIGHT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 1914

"Just bruised up a bit was the physician's statement today concerning Gus "Americus" Schoenlein of Baltimore who lost the heavyweight finish wrestling bout last night to Gustav Fristensky, the Bohemian champion…. "

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
CHICAGO, January 13, 1914

"GUSTAV FRISTENSKY, the Bohemian giant, who has faced American wrestlers and yet remains to be defeated….

Fristensky is the best of the foreign troop of mat experts who were brought over to the United States this winter…. "

The Des Moines News
FRIDAY, FEBRUAY 6, 1914.

"FRISTENSKY is at present in Chicago in charge, of C. George Kennedy, manager of Montreal, Canada. Wresting experts have conceded him to be one of the best of the - foreign wrestlers to invade the United States. "

The Des Moines News
MONDAY, FEBRUAY 9, 1914.

"The match was an exhibition of beef and Fristensky was the best. He was in the pink of physical condition and his wonderful physique elicited much admiration. Delkirt was a "big hulk" of fat. "

THE CEDAR RAPIDS, SUNDAY REPUBLICAN
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1914.

FRISTENSKY WINS MAT BOUT

" …Europe has sent us another wrestling star, the first since Hackenschmidt, the Russian "Lion"…. "

Steven Points Daily Journal, Wis.,
1914