The ‘New Zealand Dream’ is planning to go out a winner in his final wrestling bout at Club Waimea this weekend.
That’s the stage name of Richmond grappler Luke Clementson, who has been fighting professionally since 2002.
“I started at 21 but had a big break in my 30’s after suffering a spinal injury. That sidelined me for five years. I was doing uni at the same time, so rehabbed and eventually returned in pretty good shape,” says Luke, who studied sport and exercise science.
Now, he says, it is the right time to exit.
“I would like to keep going, but thought it was a smart idea to leave while I could still walk,” declares the 45-year-old whose most recent injury was suffered out of the ring.
“I tore my knee while playing on a trampoline with my son over summer.”
While fighting out of Auckland for the first decade of his career remains a highlight, being able to wrestle in Nelson means a lot to him too.
Luke has a tough guy persona in the ring and may bring back ‘the claw’ for his last fight.
“I clamp my hand on their temple and squeeze until they pass out or submit. I like flying off the top rope too, and there’s also the standing dropkick where you jump and kick with both feet. I am just better than everyone else.”
Those moves, as well as the reverse DDT where you drop people on their head, have made him an enduring fan favourite.
At 90kgs, Luke also relies on speed in the ring.
“The really huge guys were more an 80’s thing.”
“He is still tough all right though,” quips professional wrestler and event promoter Duncan McDougall, who competes as Nelson’s Own Brook Duncan.
The pair have never fought each other but did combine as a tag team in Richmond last year.
“We hammered it,” declares Brook, who confirms they are pretty much it as far as pro-wrestling goes in Nelson, as there is no training school nor club here.
But they confirm the sport is growing nationally with their Valiant Pro: All Star Wrestling organisation, one of up to 10 promotions around the country, and staging the Richmond event for a fourth successive year.
“It has been cool to be here as two generations of wrestlers,” says the 33-year-old.
Six fights are carded for Saturday, three singles, two tags and an all-in.
While Luke’s rival is yet to be revealed, Brook has given himself a formidable challenge.
“I am taking on Kyuss, a rock star from Porirua who is having a breakout year. He is taller, leaner and probably faster than me. But I have never been beaten in Nelson,” warns Brook.
The return of the wrestler billed as Big Frank also promises to be a highlight.
A digital billboard at the Junction has attracted plenty of attention, but there’s no sign of the ‘New Zealand Dream’.
“I am too big to fit on it,” insists Luke, who is also good with his hands out of the ring.
For the past decade, he has been doing rehab work on clients in their home and now runs a Richmond landscape business too, with his brother-in-law.
The doors open at 5pm on Saturday with the first fight at 6pm. Tickets are available online at www.eventfinda.co.nz
