Kola Kwariani
Kola Kwariani | |
---|---|
Kutais Governorate, Russian Empire | |
Died | February 27, 1980 (aged 77) New York City, U.S. |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Nick the Wrestler Nicholas Kwariani |
Billed weight | 280 lb (130 kg)[1][2] |
Nicholas Nestor "Kola" Kwariani (
Early life
Kwariani was born in Kutaisi, the son of Nestor and Caserines (née Kesaria) Kwariani.
Professional wrestling career
Kwariani had been a Greco-Roman champion in Europe before the war and a professional wrestler in the United States afterward.[3] He participated in many wrestling matches, most famously with "Mr. America" Gene Stanlee,[4] which was featured as one of the top 10 matches of the wrestling Golden Era in the U.S.[5][6] From 1959 to 1960, he coached Antonino Rocca. From 1959 to 1962, he closely worked with Bruno Sammartino.[citation needed]
Chess career
According to Chess Review magazine, Kwariani was the only chess-playing professional wrestler in the U.S.[7] In the 1950s, he was an active player at the Chess and Checker Club in New York City, also known as "The Flea House".[2]
Other media
Kwariani had a role in Stanley Kubrick's 1956 film The Killing, in the role of chess-playing wrestler Maurice Oboukhoff, who is hired to start a fight to create a diversion during a heist.[8][9] A picture of Kwariani, Kubrick, and Sterling Hayden appeared on the cover of Chess Review magazine in March 1956.[7]
Death
In February 1980, while entering the Chess and Checker Club, Kwariani was seriously injured after being assaulted by a group of teenagers. The incident was later described by
Filmography
- The Killing (1956) - Maurice Oboukhoff
References
- ^ a b "Kola (Nicholas) Kwariani (1903-1980): Famous Georgian wrestler and chess player". Republic of Georgia: Web Library of Links. LinkGeorgia.com. February 5, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Kola Kwariani a/k/a "Nick the Wrestler", Chess Expert and Former World Champion Wrestler". Anusha.com. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ^ Oliver, Earl (2005). "The Early Years of Televised Wrestling". Solie's Classic Wrestling Images. Solie.org. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- Goodtimes.
- ^ "Wrestling's Greatest Heroes: The Golden Era". Misc. Golden Age Tapes. ProWrestlingHistory.com. June 14, 2011.
- ^ a b Winter, Edward, ed. (March 1956). "Chess Review". Chess Notes by Edward Winter. ChessHistory.com. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ Wall, Bill (2007). "Stanley Kubrick and Chess". Bill Wall's Homepage. Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ The Killing at the TCM Movie Database
- ^ SSN Death Index; retrieved June 11, 2011.
- New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ Profile, findagrave.com; accessed September 4, 2021.
External links
- Kola Kwariani at IMDb