Jan Wilkens Wrestler South African Obituary Death
SA sport icon Uncle Jan Wilkens died age 83. Wrestling machine heavyweight champion farmer. Collected titles trophies decades best wrestler all time. Retired 1987 farmed Potchefstroom.
Wrestling Career Beginnings
Farm school Rysmierbult Carletonville High St 7 amateur club. Won SA Heavyweight 1960 age 16 Port Elizabeth. Free State senior championship. Police Pretoria SA police North Transvaal.
International Success Death Defying
England 40 wins. Germany Japan Pacific Trophy 1969. New Japan Pro-Wrestling 1975. World title 1975 beat Don Leo Jonathan. 42 world fights 32 wins 3x heavyweight 1975-1987.
SA Rivals and Techniques
Beat Mr X Percy Hall SA heavyweight. Blackjack Mulligan Big John Studd Seiji Sakaguchi Big John Strongbow. Forearm bumps Boston Crab back crusher.
Professional Wrestling Legacy
Bull Hefer greatest promoter. Amateur control fit wrestlers. Post-license decline. 3000+ fights clean life no drink smoke.
Funeral Arrangements and Celebration of Life
Visitation
- Date and Time: Thursday October 15 2026 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Location: Harmony Community Funeral Home 123 Serenity Lane
Funeral Service
- Date and Time: Friday October 16 2026 11:00 AM
- Location: Unity Memorial Church 456 Peace Street
Burial Details
- Immediately Following Service
- Location: Eternal Rest Cemetery 789 Tranquil Way
Reception and Celebration of Life
- Date and Time: Friday October 16 2026 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Location: Community Gathering Hall 101 Memorial Drive
- Donations: SA Wrestling Heritage Fund.
Legend Rests After Death
Jan Wilkens death ends era.
Family rights sole. Subject to change. Updates possible. General info. No guarantees.