Wikipedia:Cornish Wrestling Heavyweight Belt

The Cornish Wrestling heavyweight belt was first contested in 1924 after the unification of the different regional associations into the Cornish County Wrestling Association  ("CCWA") during the previous year. The original belt is still awarded to the heavyweight champion every year.

The belt was donated by Commander Sir Edward Nicholl, RNR, JP, DL, along with the Cornish Wrestling Lightweight belt each of which cost 45 guineas, which was a colossal amount of money.

Belt Details
The belt comprises a series of solid silver plaques joined with solid silver chains (each link is hallmarked). The central plaque is the largest and contains the enamelled words "HEAVY CATCH WEIGHT" surrounding a coloured enamel tablet depicting two wrestlers in a hitch.

One of the solid silver plaques states "Given by Sir Edward Nicholl".

In some years, the winners have been engraved onto various parts of the belt, but not in other years. The reasons for this inconsistency are unclear.

Competitions
The belt is contested annually in a competition that has been in various locations over the years. There is no limit on the weight of the contestants in the competition and as such this competition is the epitome of the sport of Cornish Wrestling.

In the first competition where the belt was awarded, during 1924, the winner received a 9ct gold medal, which was a continuation of the medals given prior to the creation of the CCWA. From 1924 to 1929 the winners received the newly formed County Championship Medal, which was also made of 9ct gold and each cost the CCWA £5.

In 1932, the CCWA had financial difficulties and the heavyweight belt (along with other belts and cups) were seized by the bank. As a result, the belt was not awarded, but the competition was still held under the especially formed East Cornwall Wrestling Federation ("ECWF"). In 1938, the ECWF and CCWA were united to form the Cornwall Wrestling Association ("CWA") and the belt was retrieved from the bank and has been awarded to every winner since.

In 1991, for one year only, the belt was competed for in multiple competitions during the year, where the champion had to defend the title at each event.

The final of the heavyweight competition currently comprises two, ten minute rounds. The original competitions did not have any time limits for the competition.

The heavyweight belt competition was not fought between 1940 and 1945 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. == List of champions ==

Keys:
 * Title is physically engraved on the belt
 * Title is not engraved on the belt