Abe Zvonkin
 | |
| Date of birth | March 6, 1910 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | New York City, New York, United States |
| Date of death | August 22, 2002 (aged 92)[1] |
| Place of death | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Canada university | Queen's University |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1933 | Hamilton Tigers |
| 1934–35 | Queen's Golden Gaels |
| 1937–39 | Hamilton Tigers |
| 1942–43 | Hamilton Flying Wildcats |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1934 |
| Honors | Grey Cup Champion - 1943 |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Athletics | ||
Representing  Canada
| ||
| British Empire Games | ||
 |
1930 Hamilton | Discus throw |
Abe Zvonkin (March 6, 1910 – August 22, 2002) was a Canadian track and field athlete, an all-star and Grey Cup champion Canadian football player and professional wrestler. He was born in New York City, United States and died in Hamilton, Ontario.
Personal life
Abe Zvonkin was born in New York City, son of Russian immigrants. The family later moved to Canada when Zvonkin was only two years old. He attended the Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he began playing football.[1] Zvonkin was married for 73 years to Jean Zvokin and together they had three children, one daughter and two sons. After retiring from professional wrestling Zvorkin would travel the United States and Canada competing in dog shows for many years.[1] He died on August 22, 2002, from Cancer.[1]
Athletics
While Zvonkin was born in New York, New York, he represented Canada at the 1930 Empire Games. At the games Zvonkin won the bronze medal in the discus throw event.[2] He finished fourth in the shot put competition, one place out of medal contention.
Canadian Football
Zvonkin began his football career in 1933 with the Hamilton Tigers of the Ontario Rugby Football Union, but when he attended Queen's University he became an all-star in 1934 with the Queen's Golden Gaels.[3] He returned to the Tigers for 3 more seasons in 1937, ending with his enlistment during World War Two. He played two more seasons with the Hamilton Flying Wildcats, winning the Grey Cup in 1943, his last season.
Professional wrestling career
After being influenced by Whipper Billy Watson Zvorkin made his professional wrestling debut on March 24, 1944, defeating Al Dunlop.[1] From the beginning Zvonkin played the heel (wrestling term for those who play the "bad guys"), thriving in the role.[1] Over the years Zvonkin wrestled under a number of different identities or ring names, including masked characters Mr. X and the Purple Phantom. He also worked as "Mr. E" as well as under his real name, playing off his Russian heritage.[1] Zvonkin retired in 1961.
Championships and accomplishments
- Stampede Wrestling
- Alberta Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jim Henry[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg (March 1, 2005). "Abe Zvonkin: Football, wrestling, dogs". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
- ^ "Commonwealth Games Medalists - Athletics (Men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
- ^ CFLAPEDIA entry: Abe Zvonkin
- ^ "Alberta Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
External links
- obsessedwithwrestling.com
- Abe Zvonkin at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)
- 1910 births
- 2002 deaths
- Sportspeople from New York City
- American people of Russian descent
- Canadian people of Russian descent
- Canadian male discus throwers
- Canadian male shot putters
- Canadian male professional wrestlers
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1930 British Empire Games
- Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Canada
- Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics
- Grey Cup champions
- Ontario Rugby Football Union players
- Queen's Golden Gaels football players
- Hamilton Tigers football players
- Hamilton Wildcats football players
- Professional wrestlers from New York (state)
- Professional wrestlers from Ontario
- American emigrants to Canada
- Stampede Wrestling alumni