Kristjan Palusalu (until 1935 Kristjan Trossmann, 10 March [O.S. 26 February] 1908 – 17 July 1987) was an Estonian heavyweight wrestler and Olympic winner. Palusalu became the first and only wrestler in Olympic history ever to win both the Greco-Roman and freestyle heavyweight events.[1][2]
Palusalu was born in Varemurru village, Saulepi Parish, Lääne County (now Matsi village, Lääneranna Parish, Pärnu County) as one of eight children to Jüri and Liisu Trossmann. He is best remembered for winning two gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He was given the honor of carrying the Estonian flag to the Olympiastadion. The triumph was celebrated across Estonia with Palusalu and other Estonian athletes touring the country by rail giving speeches. A third of the inhabitants of Tallinn turned out to greet him and the Estonian government granted him a farm.[3]
After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia in 1940, Palusalu was sent to hard labour in Kotlas, Russia in 1941. He tried to escape with other prisoners but was captured after a few days. He was then sentenced to death together with his fellow fugitives but was given the chance to go to the front line to fight against Finland in the Continuation War. He deserted to the Finnish side in Northern Karelia, northwest of Lake Onega. According to one Finnish soldier, Mr. Suuperko, Palusalu and his friends shouted "Finnish boys do not shoot Estonians", when they crossed the lines. Palusalu was soon recognized by a person in the Finnish army, who had sports background (Heikki Savolainen).[4]
He was imprisoned, but then was allowed to return to his homeland, which was then under German occupation. After the return of the Soviet army in 1945 he was arrested again, but was later allowed to work as a trainer and a referee, he also participated in some competitions in Estonia.[5] He was not forgotten by the Estonian people. As one of the most popular sportsmen in Estonia throughout history, Kristjan Palusalu is one of the few who have become synonymous with the Estonian nation itself.[6]
Palusalu was married to Ellen Saidla. The couple had a son, Jüri Palusalu.
Legacyedit
Kristjan and Ellen Palusalu's graves at Tallinn's Forest Cemetery
.
The international Kristjan Palusalu Memorial in Greco-Roman wrestling is held in Estonia from 1988.
Referencesedit
^Kristjan PALUSALU - Olympic Wrestling Freestyle, Wrestling Greco-Roman | Estonia, olympic.org
^Frucht, Richard (2005). Eastern Europe: an introduction to the people, lands, and culture, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 97. ISBN978-1-57607-800-6.
^Daimar Lell, Kalle Voolaid. "Every Nation Has Her Own Olympics: The Estonian Example" (PDF). la84foundation.org. Retrieved 20 December 2011.[permanent dead link]
^Kändler, Tiit; Küllike Lengi-Cooper (2002). A hundred great Estonians of the 20th century. Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers. p. 97. ISBN978-9985-70-103-4.
External linksedit
Kristjan Palusalu at the International Wrestling Database (alternate link)
kristjan, palusalu, until, 1935, kristjan, trossmann, march, february, 1908, july, 1987, estonian, heavyweight, wrestler, olympic, winner, palusalu, became, first, only, wrestler, olympic, history, ever, both, greco, roman, freestyle, heavyweight, events, pers. Kristjan Palusalu until 1935 Kristjan Trossmann 10 March O S 26 February 1908 17 July 1987 was an Estonian heavyweight wrestler and Olympic winner Palusalu became the first and only wrestler in Olympic history ever to win both the Greco Roman and freestyle heavyweight events 1 2 Kristjan PalusaluPersonal informationBorn 1908 03 10 10 March 1908Varemurru now Matsi Parnu County Estonia then Russian Empire Died17 July 1987 1987 07 17 aged 79 Tallinn EstoniaHeight1 85 m 6 ft 1 in Weight110 kg 243 lb SportSportWrestlingEvent s Greco RomanFreestyleClubSport TallinnCoached byAnton OhakaMedal record Men s Greco Roman wrestling Representing Estonia Olympic Games 1936 Berlin Heavyweight European Championships 1937 Paris Heavyweight Men s freestyle wrestling Representing Estonia Olympic Games 1936 Berlin Heavyweight Palusalu was born in Varemurru village Saulepi Parish Laane County now Matsi village Laaneranna Parish Parnu County as one of eight children to Juri and Liisu Trossmann He is best remembered for winning two gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin He was given the honor of carrying the Estonian flag to the Olympiastadion The triumph was celebrated across Estonia with Palusalu and other Estonian athletes touring the country by rail giving speeches A third of the inhabitants of Tallinn turned out to greet him and the Estonian government granted him a farm 3 After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia in 1940 Palusalu was sent to hard labour in Kotlas Russia in 1941 He tried to escape with other prisoners but was captured after a few days He was then sentenced to death together with his fellow fugitives but was given the chance to go to the front line to fight against Finland in the Continuation War He deserted to the Finnish side in Northern Karelia northwest of Lake Onega According to one Finnish soldier Mr Suuperko Palusalu and his friends shouted Finnish boys do not shoot Estonians when they crossed the lines Palusalu was soon recognized by a person in the Finnish army who had sports background Heikki Savolainen 4 He was imprisoned but then was allowed to return to his homeland which was then under German occupation After the return of the Soviet army in 1945 he was arrested again but was later allowed to work as a trainer and a referee he also participated in some competitions in Estonia 5 He was not forgotten by the Estonian people As one of the most popular sportsmen in Estonia throughout history Kristjan Palusalu is one of the few who have become synonymous with the Estonian nation itself 6 Palusalu was married to Ellen Saidla The couple had a son Juri Palusalu Legacy edit nbsp Kristjan and Ellen Palusalu s graves at Tallinn s Forest Cemetery The international Kristjan Palusalu Memorial in Greco Roman wrestling is held in Estonia from 1988 References edit Kristjan PALUSALU Olympic Wrestling Freestyle Wrestling Greco Roman Estonia olympic org Frucht Richard 2005 Eastern Europe an introduction to the people lands and culture Volume 1 ABC CLIO p 97 ISBN 978 1 57607 800 6 Daimar Lell Kalle Voolaid Every Nation Has Her Own Olympics The Estonian Example PDF la84foundation org Retrieved 20 December 2011 permanent dead link Helsingin Sanomat newspaper 13 May 2007 et Kristjan Palusalu Edaspidi Kandler Tiit Kullike Lengi Cooper 2002 A hundred great Estonians of the 20th century Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers p 97 ISBN 978 9985 70 103 4 External links editKristjan Palusalu at the International Wrestling Database alternate link nbsp Kristjan Palusalu at Olympedia nbsp Kristjan Palusalu at Olympics com nbsp Kristjan Palusalu at the Estonian Olympic Committee archived Kristjan Palusalu at ESBL in Estonian Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kristjan Palusalu amp oldid 1216512618, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
