Sailor Art Thomas
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Sailor Art Thomas (January 30, 1924 - March 20, 2003) was a bodybuilder working as a professional wrestler.
Arthur "Sailor Art" Thomas was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, as the son of Alfred and Jessie (Lunnon) Thomas. Early in his life he moved to Wisconsin. After his mother's death he grew up in a Sparta orphanage in Madison, Wisconsin.
After Merchant Marine service, Thomas worked for the Greyhound Bus Lines and developed an interest in bodybuilding. He started to tour the USA with other bodybuilders. Madison promoter Jimmy Demetral recognized his wrestling talent and began to book him for house shows. He debuted as a pro wrestler in 1943, starting a four-decade career. Between the 50s and the 70s he was one of only a few African-American pro wrestling stars. During the 1960s he received thirteen opportunities to wrestle for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, including eleven against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers between 1961 and 1963. Thomas continued to work as a wrestler until the early 1980s.
With a height of 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and a weight of 255 lb, at some times even 300 lb (136 kg), he was feared for his bearhug.
Thomas had seven children. He died of cancer only a month after being diagnosed with it.
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- National Wrestling Alliance
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- NWA World Tag Team Champion (Detroit version) (1 time) - with Bobo Brazil
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion (2 times)
- Other titles
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- International Tag Team Champion (Toronto) (3 times) - with John Paul Henning (3)
[edit] External links
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