Jan Wilkens
Encyclopedia
Jan Wilkens is a retired South African professional wrestler
who is a former South African Heavyweight Champion and six-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
.
. On 15 December 1965, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon at the Royal Albert Hall
in London On 28 December 1965, he beat Paul Vachon
by knockout
in Swindon
. On 10 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon once again by knockout at the Wembley Stadium
. In Bournemouth
on 11 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Vachon. On 19 January 1966, he beat Paul Cox at the Royal Albert Hall
. On 25 January 1966, Jan Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon in Chelmsford
in what would be Wilkens' final match in England.
in 1973 with fellow Bronco Universal Promotions regular Manie van Zyl as part of the NJPW Big Fight Series. On 2 April 1973, in Ōita
, Japan, Wilkens teamed up with Jozsef Molnar to lose to Seiji Sakaguchi
and Kotetsu Yamamoto. On 7 April 1973 in Fukushima
, he teamed up with Molnar and lost to Seiji Sakaguchi
and Osamu Kido
. On 12 April 1973 in Sendai, Wilkens teamed up with Manie van Zyl, losing to Seiji Sakaguchi
and Kotetsu Yamamoto. In his final match with New Japan Pro Wrestling on 18 April 1973 in Osaka
, Jan Wilkens lost to Antonio Inoki
in a singles match in 20:12 when Inoki made him submit to the Octopus Hold.
in a match to determine the first Catch Wrestling Association
CWA World Heavyweight Champion
. In 1974, Wilkens defeated Percy Hall to win the South African Heavyweight Title. He became the first EWU World Superheavyweight Champion
in the same year. In 1975, Don Leo Jonathan
defeated Jan Wilkens to become the second EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
in the title's history before Jan Wilkens subsequently won it back soon after. On 30 October 1976, he lost the title to Seiji Sakaguchi
, but regained it on 13 November 1976, to become a 3-time champion. In March, 1980, Wilkens teamed up with Apollo to defeat Sailor White 1 and Sailor White 2 in a tag team match in Johannesburg
. In May, 1980, he defeated Angelo Mosca in Cape Town
at the Good Hope Centre
to retain the South African Heavyweight Title. On 3 October 1981, Blackjack Mulligan
defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
. A year later, in October, 1982, Wilkens won the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
back from Blackjack Mulligan. On 13 February 1984, Jan Wilkens lost the championship to Big John Studd
, winning it back five days later on 18 February 1984. On 6 October 1984, Hercules Ayala defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
. On 3 November 1984, Jan Wilkens defeated Hercules Ayala to become a 6-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
. Jan Wilkens announced his retirement in 1984.
After a short time away from professional wrestling, he returned in 1985. In January and August, 1985, he defeated Dalibar Singh twice in Durban
. On 5 March 1986, Wilkens defended the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
against Dirty Jack Burch at the Good Hope Centre
in Cape Town
, winning via disqualification. Wilkens took revenge on Burch on 26 March 1986 by winning cleanly at the Good Hope Centre
. On 28 April 1986, Jan Wilkens lost to Igor Volkoff at the Good Hope Centre
. On 10 May 1986, he defeated Scott MacDonald at the Portuguese Hall to retain the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
. On 29 June 1986, Wilkens defeated Kevin Wacholz to successfully defend the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
. Jan Wilkens retired in 1987, having his final match and tribute in Cape Town
.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
who is a former South African Heavyweight Champion and six-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
.
Joint Promotions/Ring Wrestling Stars (1955)
Jan Wilkens toured England's Joint Promotions in 1965 and 1966 in his early twenties. On 6 December and 14 December 1965, he defeated Gord Nelson twice by knockoutKnockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
. On 15 December 1965, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London On 28 December 1965, he beat Paul Vachon
Paul Vachon
Paul "Butcher" Vachon is a former professional wrestler. He is a member of the Vachon wrestling family.-Professional wrestling career:Paul Vachon grew up as one of thirteen children of Ferdinand Vachon, a Montreal police officer...
by knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
in Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
. On 10 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon once again by knockout at the Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. In Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
on 11 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Vachon. On 19 January 1966, he beat Paul Cox at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
. On 25 January 1966, Jan Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon in Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
in what would be Wilkens' final match in England.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1973)
Jan Wilkens toured New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
in 1973 with fellow Bronco Universal Promotions regular Manie van Zyl as part of the NJPW Big Fight Series. On 2 April 1973, in Ōita
Oita, Oita
is the capital city of Ōita Prefecture located on the island of Kyushu, Japan.- Demographics and geography :Ōita is the most populous city in Ōita Prefecture...
, Japan, Wilkens teamed up with Jozsef Molnar to lose to Seiji Sakaguchi
Seiji Sakaguchi
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who was a mainstay of New Japan Pro Wrestling and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance....
and Kotetsu Yamamoto. On 7 April 1973 in Fukushima
Fukushima, Fukushima
is the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku Region of Japan. As of May 2011 the city has an estimated population of 290,064 and an area of 746.43 km².It lies about 250 km north of Tokyo and 80 km south of Sendai.-History:...
, he teamed up with Molnar and lost to Seiji Sakaguchi
Seiji Sakaguchi
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who was a mainstay of New Japan Pro Wrestling and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance....
and Osamu Kido
Osamu Kido
is a Japanese professional wrestler that wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He participated in the foundation of New Japan of 1972 and the foundation ofUWF in 1984...
. On 12 April 1973 in Sendai, Wilkens teamed up with Manie van Zyl, losing to Seiji Sakaguchi
Seiji Sakaguchi
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who was a mainstay of New Japan Pro Wrestling and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance....
and Kotetsu Yamamoto. In his final match with New Japan Pro Wrestling on 18 April 1973 in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Jan Wilkens lost to Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki
is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who now resides between New York City and Tokyo. He was also the founder and former owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling before selling his controlling share in the promotion to Yukes...
in a singles match in 20:12 when Inoki made him submit to the Octopus Hold.
Bronco Universal Promotions/Interworld Wrestling Promotions (1955–1987)
Jan Wilkens debuted in 1964 at the age of 21, immediately making an impact on the pro wrestling scene because of his size and ring fervour. On 2 August 1973, Jan Wilkens lost to Otto WanzOtto Wanz
Otto Wanz is a former professional wrestler and boxer. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1976. He is a one time American Wrestling Association champion and former operator of the Catch Wrestling Association. Among his most famous international opponents were Antonio Inoki, Bull Power and...
in a match to determine the first Catch Wrestling Association
Catch Wrestling Association
The Catch Wrestling Association was a professional wrestling organization based in Austria and Germany and was founded in 1973. It was formerly run by famous AWA champion Otto Wanz. The CWA featured a traditional brand of mat wrestling mixed with various “Strong Man” competitions...
CWA World Heavyweight Champion
CWA World Heavyweight Championship
The CWA World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the German professional wrestling promotion the Catch Wrestling Association....
. In 1974, Wilkens defeated Percy Hall to win the South African Heavyweight Title. He became the first EWU World Superheavyweight Champion
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
in the same year. In 1975, Don Leo Jonathan
Don Leo Jonathan
Don Heaton , also known as Don Leo Jonathan, is an American former professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:...
defeated Jan Wilkens to become the second EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
in the title's history before Jan Wilkens subsequently won it back soon after. On 30 October 1976, he lost the title to Seiji Sakaguchi
Seiji Sakaguchi
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who was a mainstay of New Japan Pro Wrestling and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance....
, but regained it on 13 November 1976, to become a 3-time champion. In March, 1980, Wilkens teamed up with Apollo to defeat Sailor White 1 and Sailor White 2 in a tag team match in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. In May, 1980, he defeated Angelo Mosca in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
at the Good Hope Centre
Good Hope Centre
The Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, South Africa by Pier Luigi Nervi, is an exhibition hall and conference centre, with the exhibition hall comprising an arch with tie-beam on each of the four vertical facades and two diagonal arches supporting two intersecting barrel-like roofs which in turn were...
to retain the South African Heavyweight Title. On 3 October 1981, Blackjack Mulligan
Blackjack Mulligan
Robert Jack Windham , better known by his ring name Blackjack Mulligan is a former professional wrestler and a former American football player...
defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
. A year later, in October, 1982, Wilkens won the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
back from Blackjack Mulligan. On 13 February 1984, Jan Wilkens lost the championship to Big John Studd
Big John Studd
John William Minton was an American professional wrestler and actor who was born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania, better known by his ring name, Big John Studd.-Career:...
, winning it back five days later on 18 February 1984. On 6 October 1984, Hercules Ayala defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
. On 3 November 1984, Jan Wilkens defeated Hercules Ayala to become a 6-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
. Jan Wilkens announced his retirement in 1984.
After a short time away from professional wrestling, he returned in 1985. In January and August, 1985, he defeated Dalibar Singh twice in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. On 5 March 1986, Wilkens defended the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
against Dirty Jack Burch at the Good Hope Centre
Good Hope Centre
The Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, South Africa by Pier Luigi Nervi, is an exhibition hall and conference centre, with the exhibition hall comprising an arch with tie-beam on each of the four vertical facades and two diagonal arches supporting two intersecting barrel-like roofs which in turn were...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, winning via disqualification. Wilkens took revenge on Burch on 26 March 1986 by winning cleanly at the Good Hope Centre
Good Hope Centre
The Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, South Africa by Pier Luigi Nervi, is an exhibition hall and conference centre, with the exhibition hall comprising an arch with tie-beam on each of the four vertical facades and two diagonal arches supporting two intersecting barrel-like roofs which in turn were...
. On 28 April 1986, Jan Wilkens lost to Igor Volkoff at the Good Hope Centre
Good Hope Centre
The Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, South Africa by Pier Luigi Nervi, is an exhibition hall and conference centre, with the exhibition hall comprising an arch with tie-beam on each of the four vertical facades and two diagonal arches supporting two intersecting barrel-like roofs which in turn were...
. On 10 May 1986, he defeated Scott MacDonald at the Portuguese Hall to retain the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
. On 29 June 1986, Wilkens defeated Kevin Wacholz to successfully defend the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship
The EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
. Jan Wilkens retired in 1987, having his final match and tribute in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Boston crabBoston crabThe Boston crab is a professional wrestling hold that typically starts with the opponent lying supine on the mat, with the wrestler standing and facing them. It is a type of spinal lock where the wrestler hooks each of the opponent’s legs in one of his arms, and then turns the opponent face-down,...
- Boston crab
- Signature moves
- Backdrop suplex
- Bearhug
- Clothesline
- Legdrop
- Powerslam
- Running bulldog
- Vertical suplex
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "The Johannesburg Giant"
Championships and accomplishments
- European Wrestling Union
- EWU World Super Heavyweight ChampionshipEWU World Super Heavyweight ChampionshipThe EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was competed for in the European Wrestling Union, contested exclusively among Super Heavyweight wrestlers. It was established in 1974, and the first and last champion was Jan Wilkens. In 1984 the...
(6 times)
- Interworld Wrestling Promotions
- South African Heavyweight ChampionshipSouth African Heavyweight ChampionshipThe South African Heavyweight Title is an inactive professional wrestling championship that was once competed for in the now-defunct South African professional wrestling promotion Interworld Wrestling Promotions, contested exclusively among Heavyweight wrestlers. It was created in 1950 and the...
(1 time)