Al Hobman

Allan Al Hobman, born on 23 April 1925 and died on 21 September 2008, was a New Zealand professional wrestler, trainer and promoter who also had a career as a professional bodybuilder. Before wrestling he played rugby union at Rongotai College as a lock for Oriental Rongotai and, as a bodybuilder, won both the Mr. Australasia and Mr. New Zealand competitions in 1951. He was one of the first homegrown stars to emerge from the Dominion Wrestling Union and later Steve Rickard's All Star-Pro Wrestling, twice won the NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship, from John Da Silva in 1960 and from Steve Rickard in 1964, and wrestled NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski in 1969. He also promoted and trained wrestlers at the Koolmans Gym.