Magnus Bech-Olsen

Magnus Emanuel Bech-Olsen (7 December 1866 - 19 February 1932) was a Danish professional wrestler and circus manager.

[4] On 19 July 1896, in a match hosted by the Danish Wrestling Federation at the Sankt Thomas entertainment venue on Frederiksberg Allé, Bech-Olsen defeated John Pohl.

Less than two months later, on 27 September 1896, in another match hosted by the Danish Wrestling Federation at Sankt Thomas, he also defeated Memisch Effendi.

One month later, on 26 September 1897, in another match at Ordrup Velodrome, Bech-Olsen defeated Antonio Pierri, who claimed to be world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.

After a rematch, which took place on 3 October, in front of an audience of 10,000 spectators, Pierri handed his championship belt over to Bech-Olsen.

[6] A reporter wrote: "(The 12,000) saw the best match that has been wrestled in New York in years ...Olsen won by one of the cleverest tricks seen on the mat.

[7] Back in Denmark, on 12 August 1899, Bech-Olsen defeated Paul Belling in another match at Charlottenlund Racetrack.

Some time later, when he began touring the country with his circus, he converted the building into a cinema under the name Kæmpe Biografen.

The circus was continued by his son Eitel Vilhelm Bech-Olsen, (1890–1952), aka "Manne", for another three seasons.