Euclydes Hatem was born into a Brazilian family of Lebanese origin.
13 Facts About Euclydes Hatem
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2.
At 14 years old, after an unsuccessful career as a rower, Hatem started learning catch wrestling at the Associacao de Crista de Mocos in Rio de Janeiro.
3.
Just one month after, Euclydes Hatem was pitted against a 300 ib wrestler nicknamed "Mascara Negra".
4.
Euclydes Hatem lost the match after 40 minutes, but the audience left convinced of his talent, moreover for the fact that Mascara was suspected to be the famous Wladek Zbyszko.
5.
Euclydes Hatem became known for his skill with chokeholds, to the point many opponents only fought him if this kind of move was forbidden.
6.
Yano requested a rematch and it took place after two months, but with the additional rule that Euclydes Hatem would have to wear a judogi.
7.
Euclydes Hatem resumed competing after healing, moving to Porto Alegre to find more opponents.
8.
Three years later, Euclydes Hatem participated in the Copa Mundial Benito Valladares, where the winner would face French wrestling champion Charles Ulsemer.
9.
Euclydes Hatem continued moving through the land, taking part in an elite tournament in Sao Paulo where he would meet opponents like Richard Schikat, Tom Hanley, Henry Piers and Kola Kwariani.
10.
The match between them was celebrated to a great expectation, with Euclydes Hatem winning by rear naked choke at the second round.
11.
Falkenstein had contacted Hatem to discuss the possibility of a worked match, but Euclydes refused, and negotiations got so heated that newspapers echoed them.
12.
However, when the match happened, Euclydes Hatem defeated him in only 37 seconds.
13.
Euclydes Hatem focused himself on teaching, passing his knowledge to the brothers Carlos and Fausto Brunocilla until his death in 1984.