CATCH & the World

Turning Japanese: Karl Gotch introduced CATCH to the far East

Unlikely as it may seem, the professional style of CATCH wrestling is a worldwide phenomenon.

The man credited with its modern global proliferation is Karl Istaz aka 'KarlGotch'.

Originally from Belgium, Karl Gotch is described as a wrestling gunslinger: he was known to travel in search of worthy opponents.

Somehow he ended up fighting against a Wigan wrestler and was blown away. Defeated but not downhearted, Gotch went to Riley's gym determined to learn Lancashire catch-as-catch-can.

Living over a Wigan laundrette, the Belgian stayed six months and trained at Riley's Gym.

Eventually his wrestling took him to America where he taught the style to others.

CATCH in Japan

After WWII, professional wrestling started in take off in Japan. The Americans brought wrestlers from the States to battle it out with the Japanese.

It just so happens that Karl Gotch was one of those wrestlers. His style stood out as being different to what the other American wrestlers were doing and the Japanese wanted to learn it.

Gotch told them about Riley's and eventually stayed in Japan to teach CATCH.

Japan & Wigan

Since then, Japanese wrestlers regularly travel to Wigan to learn the craft of CATCH.

Roy Wood, at the Aspull Olympic Club, also visits Japan on a regular basis to teach CATCH. He teaches at the Japanese 'Snake-pit' set up by another of Riley's students, Bill Robinson, and participates in various Japanese-Lancashire tournaments.

(back to top)