Abe Coleman

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the anarchist editor, see
Abe Coleman (editor)
.
Abe Coleman
Abe Coleman at his 100th birthday party on September 18, 2005
Birth nameAbe Kelmer
Born(1905-09-20)September 20, 1905
Żychlin, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
(now Poland)
DiedMarch 28, 2007(2007-03-28) (aged 101)[1]
Queens, New York, U.S.
Spouse(s)
June Miller
​
​
(m. 1939; died 1987)​
Los Angeles, California
Debut1927
Retired1961

Abe Kelmer[3] / Abba Kelmer[2] (September 20, 1905 – March 28, 2007) was a Polish professional wrestler, promoter and referee, known by the ring names Abe Coleman, Hebrew Hercules, and Jewish Tarzan.[2] At the time of his death, Coleman was believed to be the oldest professional wrestler in the world, and the only known wrestler to live past the age of 100 years.

Early life

Kelmer was born to a

Holocaust.[2] In 1923, he emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and later moved to New York City in the United States.[2][3]

Professional wrestling career

According to the

Canadian Online Explorer's Greg Oliver, there is debate regarding Kelmer's debut in professional wrestling. In 1929, local promoter Rudy Miller offered Coleman $25 (equivalent to $440 in 2023) to wrestle after seeing him work out in a Brooklyn gym.[3] Despite this, an "Abe Coleman" wrestled to a draw with George Deslonchamps on March 19, 1928, at Madison Square Garden, but it is unknown if it was Kelmer or another wrestler with the same ring name.[3]

Credited for inventing the dropkick, Coleman claims his inspiration to create the move came from kangaroos he observed while on a tour of Australia in 1930.[2][3]

Coleman was never a champion but regarded as a solid mid-card standby.[3] In the 1930s, Coleman defeated Jim Londos in a match in a Mexico City bullring in front of 60,000 spectators.[3] During a 1936 match against Man Mountain Dean in front of 36,000 people, Coleman slammed Dean to the ground, breaking the ring mat and dropping the pair down to the arena floor.[2][3]

Following his retirement from active in-ring competition, Coleman became a professional wrestling referee.[2] He also promoted several wrestling shows with Bill Johnston.[3]

After wrestling

Following his retirement from wrestling, Kelmer inspected

Department of Motor Vehicles.[2]

Personal life

Kelmer met June Miller in 1936, stating he met her in Madison Square Garden when he landed in her lap after being thrown from the

Forest Hills, New York.[3] It was in Forest Hills that Kelmer subdued two attempted muggers when he was in his 80s.[2][3]

Outside of wrestling, Kelmer's interests included poker and horse racing.[2]

In his final years, Kelmer, primarily using a wheelchair, lived at the Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in

Flushing, New York.[3] Kelmer died on March 28, 2007, in a nursing home in Queens, New York, of kidney failure.[3][4]

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ^ "Abe Coleman, 102, Wrestler Known as Hebrew Hercules". Classic Wrestling Articles. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Martin, Douglas (April 2, 2007). "Abe Coleman, 101, Wrestler Known as Hebrew Hercules". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2012-09-16. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  3. ^
    Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original
    on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Oldest pro wrestler passes away today". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  5. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
    )

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abe_Coleman&oldid=1212317064"