| Jan Wilkens | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Jan Wilkens Jan Wilko Jan Wilkins |
| Billed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Billed weight | 280 lb (130 kg) |
| Born | 2 July 1931 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Billed from | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Debut | 1955 |
| Retired | 1987 |
Jan Wilkens (born 4 February 1943 in Johannesburg) is a retired South African professional wrestler who is a former South African Heavyweight Champion and six-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion.[1][2][3]
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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 knockout.[4] On 15 December 1965, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon at the Royal Albert Hall in London[5] On 28 December 1965, he beat Paul Vachon by knockout in Swindon.[6] On 10 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon once again by knockout at the Wembley Stadium.[6] In Bournemouth on 11 January 1966, Wilkens defeated Vachon.[6] On 19 January 1966, he beat Paul Cox at the Royal Albert Hall.[5] On 25 January 1966, Jan Wilkens defeated Paul Vachon in Chelmsford in what would be Wilkens' final match in England.[6]
Jan Wilkens toured New Japan Pro Wrestling 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.[7] On 7 April 1973 in Fukushima, he teamed up with Molnar and lost to Seiji Sakaguchi and Osamu Kido.[7] On 12 April 1973 in Sendai, Wilkens teamed up with Manie van Zyl, losing to Seiji Sakaguchi and Kotetsu Yamamoto.[7] 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.[7]
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 Wanz in a match to determine the first Catch Wrestling Association CWA World Heavyweight Champion.[8] In 1974, Wilkens defeated Percy Hall to win the South African Heavyweight Title.[1][2] He became the first EWU World Superheavyweight Champion in the same year.[1][3] 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.[1][3][9] On 30 October 1976, he lost the title to Seiji Sakaguchi, but regained it on 13 November 1976, to become a 3-time champion.[1][3][10] In March, 1980, Wilkens teamed up with Apollo to defeat Sailor White 1 and Sailor White 2 in a tag team match in Johannesburg.[11] In May, 1980, he defeated Angelo Mosca in Cape Town at the Good Hope Centre to retain the South African Heavyweight Title.[11] On 3 October 1981, Blackjack Mulligan defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship.[3] A year later, in October, 1982, Wilkens won the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship back from Blackjack Mulligan.[1][3] On 13 February 1984, Jan Wilkens lost the championship to Big John Studd, winning it back five days later on 18 February 1984.[1][3][12] On 6 October 1984, Hercules Ayala defeated Jan Wilkens to win the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship.[3][13] On 3 November 1984, Jan Wilkens defeated Hercules Ayala to become a 6-time EWU World Super Heavyweight Champion.[1][3] 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.[11] 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.[14][15] Wilkens took revenge on Burch on 26 March 1986 by winning cleanly at the Good Hope Centre.[16] On 28 April 1986, Jan Wilkens lost to Igor Volkoff at the Good Hope Centre.[17] On 10 May 1986, he defeated Scott MacDonald at the Portuguese Hall to retain the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship.[18] On 29 June 1986, Wilkens defeated Kevin Wacholz to successfully defend the EWU World Super Heavyweight Championship.[19] Jan Wilkens retired in 1987, having his final match and tribute in Cape Town.