Cora Livingston
Name: Cora Livingston
Born: Buffalo, New York, 1893 Died: 1960
Lived: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Height:165cm
Weight: 63kg
Wrestling Span: Cora Livingston is acknowledged as being one of the first female professional wrestlers. Cora began wrestling in the early part of the 1900's. The then champion Laura Bennett (77kg) would meet with Cora to train with her. The student then went on to became the champion when she beat Laura Bennett for the Championship and become recognised as the greatest woman wrestler of her era.
Cora became the world champion in 1913 and is reported to have never lost a match during her long title reign from 1913 to 1925 when she retired.
Away from the ring Cora was married to Paul Browser a rich wrestling promoter.
Major Wins Included: Defeating Grace Brady, NY, Lou Harris, St. Louis MO, May Nelson, Chicago, ILL, Margaret Dunn, Pittsburg, PA, Laura Bennet for Championship, Kansas City, MO, Bothner Twins, Kansas City, MO, Nellie Ludrig, Boston, MA, May Kelley, NY City, Hazel Parker, Cincinnati, OH.
Cora Livingston's Wrestling Belt: A one-of-a-kind American championship women's wrestling belt from 1910. The belt was made from thick leather with chrome or nickel plated metal badges and a centre medallion with legend "Worlds Champion Female Wrestler" and engraved image of 2 wrestlers. There Were a total of 10 badges (5 on each side)
Right side of belt when wearing it had:
1) Defeated Grace Brady, Lafayette Theatre, Buffalo, NY
2) Defeated Lou Harris, Standard Theatre, St. Louis MO
3) Defeated May Nelson, Folly Theatre, Chicago, ILL
4) Defeated Margaret Dunn, Academy of Music, Pittsburg, PA
5) Presented to Cora Livingston - Fri. Oct. 28
Left side of belt when wearing it had:
6) Defeated Laura Bennett for Championship, Century Theatre, Kansas City, MO
7) Defeated Bothner Twins, Century Theatre, Kansas City, MO
8) Defeated Nellie Ludrig, Howard Theater, Boston, MA
9) Defeated May Kelley, Miner, S. Bowery Theatre, NY City
10) Defeated Hazel Parker, People's Theatre, Cincinnati, OH.
The belt was 30.5" long (6" wide in center) and sold on eBay for US $1,677.00 Approximately AU $2,269.59 in March 2004.
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