Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

150 Classic; 2009 - Fourth time PGA, again at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. • 2004 Chaconia Medal Gold • 2006, 2007 T&T Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year Award RAY ‘GOLDEN’ APOLLON (1924- 1997) Cyril Joseph B orn Cyril Joseph, he was educated at St. Mary’s College after which his father sent him to the USA to Howard University to study medicine, hoping that his son would follow in his footsteps. Joseph instead obtained a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree at Howard University but was unable to get into medical school because preference was given to those members of the United States Armed Services returning from World War II at the time. He then went to Paris, France to the Sorbonne University to continue his studies. It was here that he became drawn to wrestling and went on to become an internationally famous wrestler. ItwaswrestlingthatopenedupwindowsoftheworldforRay.Hefought in Europe, India, Lebanon, Africa, Trinidad, Saudi Arabia and Japan. On the African and Asian continents, he was treated more like a king than a wrestler. He was the houseguest of Jomo Kenyatta, president of Kenya and was made an honorary Chief of Nigeria, one of the highest honours in the country where he was known as ‘The African Lion’. He invited some of the best wrestlers in the world to Trinidad, including the famous Harold Sakata, a star of James Bond fame, and Victor Jovica. Apollon always had fans calling for his trademark head butts whenever he fought at home. Thunderbolt Williams, his son Fernando, Des The Artist and Ted Herbert who campaigned in Japan were some of his pupils.