Emile Czaja
| King Kong | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1909 Hungary
|
| Died | 16 May 1970 Singapore
|
| Cause of death | Car accident |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | King Kong |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 444lb (201kg) |
| Billed from |
 Australia
|
| Debut | 1937 |
| Retired | died unretired |
Emile Czaja (1909 – 16 May 1970), better known by his ring name King Kong, was an Australian-Indian professional wrestler and actor born in Hungary in 1909. He was active from 1929 until 1970. He was a simple friendly character. His very presence filled any hall or stadium. For he was the favorite of Far East from 1937 till his death in 1970. He wrestled mostly in Japan, Singapore, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. In professional wrestling his arch rivals were Sheik Ali and Dara Singh.
The Hungarian born Emile Czaja started wrestling in Europe. At the age of 18 he was participating in important matches all over Europe. He excelled himself in all styles of wrestling and soon become a formidable opponent for all the top contenders.
Czaja started his professional career in India in 1937. He was given the name "King Kong" after playing the part of King Kong in an Indian movie. In 1945, he wrestled Hamida Pehelwan in front of approximately 200,000 spectators in Lahore, India. He frequently wrestled for over 100,000 fans.
In 1937, he arrived in Bombay India, where many western wrestlers had gathered to trade grips with the East Indian greats. Some of the celebrities were Jeji Goldstein of Palestine, Edmond Von Kramer of Germany, Tony Lamaro of Italy, Emil Koroshenko of Hungary, George Zbisco of Poland, George Constantine of Romania, Arty Counsel of Australia, and later joined by five times world champion, Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Ted Thye. These assailants often dare Great Gama, but to their dismay gama had retired and the fleet of Imam Bux, Hamida, Goonga, yankapa Boolar, Young Gama among others were the stalwarts willing to face the challengers. Kong wrestled quite a few of them and after drawing with Goonga, earned a shot at Hamida Pahalwan. These were the two defeats that Kong had suffered before the war and this by no means belittled his ratings as one of the world’s top ranking wrestlers.
Then in 1947, after the war another sub-continent was created- Pakistan. Wrestling immediately took a strong hold there. In 1952, Emile Czaja came back to Bombay from Singapore and approached a well-known businessman Mr. Goostad D. Irani, ‘the mat Mogul of India’, and a tournament was arranged in Bombay. It was a tremendous success for all. Wrestling had its next lease of life by the hard work of Emile czaja-Goostad D. Irani friendship. Up until the late 1960s the wrestling flourished in all parts of India under Iranis promotion.
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Wikipedia