Coached sued by injured wrestler for negligence

Constantinos Foscolos v. Footscray Youth Club and Sam Parker

Constantinos Foscolos was an amateur wrestler.

During a wrestling match at Footscray Youth Club, he was thrown by his opponent using a suplex throw (a banned movement in American and Canadian college wrestling. Foscolos landed on his head, broke his neck and was immediately and permanently paralysed.

At the court hearing a wrestling expert gave evidence that the suplex throw should not be used unless both participants had been instructed on how to counter it. Furthermore bouts should be between opponents of comparable skill and the participants should be instructed how to protect themselves against dangerous or illegal throws.

The court agreed with the case put for Foscolos in that he was owed a duty of care by Sam Parker (the coach) to ensure bouts were properly refereed and supervised.

Foscolos was awarded $5.7 million in damages.

 

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