Martin Farmer Burns was an American world champion in wrestling with more than six thousand matches of which he lost only 7, regularly winning against opponents who outweighed him by 50 or more pounds. He also managed to earn the American Heavyweight Champion and the World Light Heavyweight Champion titles.
Feats of strength were another thing Farmer Burns loved to do. Weighing only 160 pounds, he had an incredibly strong twenty-inch neck which made him famous when he was hanged (as part of the feat), managed to survive and whistle “Yankee Doodle” at the same time. Now, that’s one hell of a feat.
Martin “Farmer” Burns
The picture below shows where a thug attacked Farmer Burns by rushing up behind him and throwing his arm around his neck, attempting a strangle hold. Before he secured the hold, Burns reached up and grasped the arm at the elbow and wrist in a strong, powerful grip. Had the thug secured a real strangle hold, the chances are that Burns could break it by this hold. An attack of this kind is, naturally, very unexpected, but the man who is thoroughly trained rarely loses his presence of mind and almost unconsciously uses the proper line of defense.
Attack from the rear
Throwing opponent over the head
Bringing opponent to the ground in powerless position
Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture by Martin Farmer Burns is an awesome book which is not just about wrestling, but various freehand & dumbbell exercises, breathing techniques and how to get and stay healthy. Definitely a great book to get a foundation in these skills.