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Wadi Ayoub (1927 -September 29, 1976) was a champion Greco–Roman style professional wrestler, best known as Sheik Ali. ==Career== By the age of 22, he had progressed to being the Champion of Lebanon. In 1951, he left Lebanon behind, and came to Australia in search of a better way of life. Realising that, to be successful in professional wrestling, he needed added weight, he underwent a course of bodybuilding at Dovey’s Gymnasium, Sydney. He was successful in adding over 40 lb body weight. Additionally, he seized every opportunity to work with freestyle wrestlers and to make himself fit enough for a career in professional wrestling. Among the early wrestlers who helped him achieve his target of becoming a professional were such well-known and accomplished matmen as Tom Lurich, Chief Little Wolf and Jim Deakin. In March 1953, he made his debut at Leichhardt Stadium, in an encounter against Jon Morro. After four more contests, Ayoub headed for New Zealand and astounded the critics by holding his own against the British Empire Champion, Earl McCready. So impressed were the eastern promoters with the potential shown by him that he was signed for a series of contests against big name wrestlers that were operating throughout India at the time. Some of these included Joginder Singh, Emil Koroshenko, Dara Singh, King Kong, Bert Assirati and Harbans Singh. His inspiring performances against these stars lead to his ranking, by accredited experts, as the sixth best wrestler in the world. In 1956, he returned to Sydney where wrestling was in full swing. At White City, he wrestled Tiger Ray Holden before a crowd of 12,000 people. The rest of the year was spent in Hobart, Adelaide and Perth, where he competed against such first class talent as George Pencheff, King Kong and Baron von Heczey. In 1957 at White City, he went to a draw with the Indian, Tarlok Singh, before a capacity house of 22,000 people. In October en route to Japan for a World Title clash against the Champion, Lou Thesz, he stopped in Singapore for a bout against King Kong for the Malaysian Heavyweight crown. In a fierce contest, Kong was victorious. When negotiations for his visit to Japan fell through, Ayoub decided to stay in Singapore and competed in bouts with Ricky Waldo and the famous Aslam Pehalwan. In March 1958, Ayoub returned to Sydney. At the Sports Ground, he wrestled Andreas Lambrakis to a draw. He then went to Adelaide and Hobart, where he competed against the likes of George Duane and King Kong. Although he was in constant demand from overseas promoters, he was ignored by the American promoters of Stadiums Limited. This had little effect on his career, as he was soon off on a five-year tour of the Far East and Europe. His first stop was Singapore where he clashed with King Kong, as well as Charles Henry and Akram Pahelwan. From here, Ayoub went to India. In New Delhi, before a crowd of 80,000 he defeated Arjit Singh. For this feat, he was congratulated by the Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru. His contract was extended a further year to fit in contests against George Pencheff, Bill Verna, Don Steadman, George Zbisko, Dara Singh, George Gordienko and numerous others. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sheik Ali」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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