Kola Kwariani

Nicholas Nestor "Kola" Kwariani (January 16, 1903 – February 27, 1980), known by the ring name Nick the Wrestler, was a Georgian professional wrestler and chess player. Early life Kwariani was born in Kutaisi, the son of Nestor and Caserines (née Kesaria) Kwariani. Professional wrestling career Kwariani had been a Greco-Roman champion in Europe before the war and a professional wrestler in the United States afterward. He participated in many wrestling matches, most famously with "Mr. America" Gene Stanlee, which was featured as one of the top 10 matches of the wrestling Golden Era in the U.S. From 1959 to 1960, he coached Antonino Rocca. From 1959 to 1962, he closely worked with Bruno Sammartino. Chess career According to Chess Review magazine, Kwariani was the only chess-playing professional wrestler in the U.S. In the 1950s, he was an active player at the Chess and Checker Club in New York City, also known as "The Flea House".