James Polkinghorne

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This article is about the Cornish wrestler. For the Australian footballer, see James Polkinghorne (footballer).

The Red Lion Pub in St. Columb Major today.

James Polkinghore was a champion Cornish wrestler of the 19th Century. He was born in St Keverne, Cornwall, United Kingdom but spent much of his life at St. Columb Major, where he ran a pub called the Red Lion.

Polkinghorne's greatest match was on 23rd October 1826 against Abraham Cann of Colebrooke who was the champion of the Devon. The match took place at Devonport, and ten thousand people are said to have attended. The result appears inconclusive, though the Devon style which was used allowed Cann to wear heavy boots soaked in bullock's blood.