Enemies ...



I knew nothing about her ... .. It really didn't matter though. I had been
wrestling for almost a decade and no one could beat me. Wrestling was a really
clandestine sport back in the 80's, shunted in the backgrounds with the seedy
connotations associated with it. Judell Dulong tried to advance the sport in
her own way, California Supreme in the LA area, LadyHawke in the Pacific
North-West and on the east coast there was Joan Wise and various other
outlets. Most was little more then two women with little skill, though often
athletic rolling around and catching each other in various scissors and
full-nelson combinations. This was a much different time vs. today where many
females participate at all levels and many could wipe my ass as they have
devoted a lifetime to martial arts and weight training. A different time ...
..

In Europe, where I was from, the German Mat Club and Festelle brought a little
more skill and expertise, along with organized events. Few however took this
sport seriously.

I usually was invited to meet their newest, toughest wrestler. The one who
beat everyone at their club and used their youth and strength to exert their
dominance. Usually took me 2-3 minutes to figure out their weaknesses and
frustrate them and then I'd toy with them, slowly deriving submissions from
them. Usually left them crying and hurt as they never knew what it was like to
be beat. Money was okay, but frankly I just loved the contact, the competition
and putting these women in their place. Trust me I never took anything for
granted, I worked out continually and practiced technique in my studio and at
the Dojo, studying martial arts and wrestling techniques. My background in
addition was gymnastics, which allowed me the flexibility and strength to
match most opponents, with the skills really tipping the scales. Before a
match I'd get a picture including the woman's height & weight and background
and a written request for the match.

Actually the toughest matches I had were where one's husbands and or
boyfriends arranged and never were taped. The women participating here may be
police officers, personal trainers, construction workers (when women didn't
engage in these occupations) and others who stayed out of the public eye. They
often were older and more experienced and the privacy afforded these matches
made it more competitive and sometimes much more electrically charged.

So maybe I better introduce myself, Beatrice Goffin. Many have called me the
best technical wrestler of the times. I hate those titles. Look I travelled
and looked for matches. I was not ashamed to be taped and to meet any and
everyone. I always was ready to lose, but heck, did not happen. I think if I
did submit a fall, it just made me madder and more determined the next fall
and the opponent knew it.

I was pretty damn sure of myself when I read the letter from Leonie, another
Belgium who happened to live near by and had heard of my reputation. She
wanted a fight and included pictures and a detailed background of herself.

She was a few inches and 10 lbs lighter then my 5'5" 135. She said she also
had some martial arts training and claimed with her gypsy background she often
had to defend herself and looked forward to meeting me.

This was not atypical of the invitations I got and responded that she was
welcome to meet me and my husband at my place and we could wrestle at my
studio and I'd tape the match. If it was worth selling the match was free,
otherwise she'd pay my hourly rate, though with many of these inexperienced
women, we go 10-15 minutes, they'd be embarrassed and leave or ask for some
training. The tapes were worth nothing and were just taped over. Most would
never return for a rematch. That is why later I started my own wrestling
school, training females and sharing my love of the sport.

I always let my husband handle the arrangements and he told me all was agreed
to and we'd meet prior to the match in town for coffee and if all panned out,
they'd follow us back to our place. This was set up for the following Saturday
night.

I always loved the lead up to a match and worked hard that week. I dressed up
particularly sexy that evening, though I'd be only in bikini briefs shortly,
even though it was just coffee and felt the excitement rise throughout the
day. It had been 6 weeks since my last match and I was itching to fight again.
Never knew what the next match would bring, just victory ... ..

So we arrive at the Patisserie and Leonie and her husband are waiting. Henri
is quite chatty as opposed to Leonie, who just sits there, responding in short
sentences to any questions we have. It is obvious she too is excited and
nervous, but also there is something else that I can't quite put my finger on
about her.

After 30 minutes, we return to our house. Leonie is showed a room to change
and Henri is offered a drink, while Michel (my husband) sets up the video
equipment in the studio. The studio is 10' x 20' with well padded mats and a
wall on one side that often is used like ropes during matches.

With Leonie out of the way I later find out that Henri had made a little wager
with Michel and warned him about how good Leonie purports to be.

And so we met for the first time. Leonie drops her top, exposing a simple
striped bikini bottom on top of a strong thick proportioned body. I see stocky
legs, with very developed thighs and arms almost as large as mine. I make a
note not to be caught between them. Her middle has no fat and she wears a
scowl that I must admit took me aback. I must admit that my mouth was dry and
the air felt somewhat different and I was happy I at least had size on her. We
stretch in silence preparing for the match. She sees a little larger version
of herself, and I hope to intimidate her with that.

We stood side to side so Michel could videotape our bodies and prepare to film
the match. We discuss the rules, submission by tap or verbal and hair pulling
allowed, but no punching.

Forty minutes later I tapped. I was spent and beaten like never before. Every
advantage I had she weathered and escaped. I was left sobbing after the fall
and Leonie stood up, grabbed her top and left the room without saying a word.
Henri collected his winnings and followed. Five minutes later they had dressed
and left, with Henri telling us to call if I wanted a rematch.

Michel and I talked for hours following. I did not know how to feel or what
emotions I felt. Never had this happened and the bizarre behaviour only added
to the whole experience. I only knew I did not like her and we'd meet again.

Another five times prior to today to be exact. I got even the next time and
the time after, but she had taken two out of the next three. Each time my
dislike to her grew and it was mutual. Everyone else I fought, it stayed on
the mat and with many I became friends and we'd laugh and talk about the
match, life, love and so much more after. Not Leonie ... So six times and we
were 3-3 and then came the letter setting up what would be our ultimate
showdown ... ... .

To be continued ... ..

Let me know if there is any interest in this story ... ..