BY FRED JETER
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Imagine not one, but two King Kongs prowling about the same island.
Practically within roaring distance, along Chesterfield’s Rt. 360/Hull Street Road corridor, loom the area’s top two wrestlers in the heavyweight (275) class.
That would be the more celebrated Jim Brown of Clover Hill, with the right to pound his chest hardest. Then, there’s aspiring contender Matt Camire of Manchester, hoping to crowd Brown’s throne.
The Dominion District schools are located close enough so that when Brown, king of the rumble, slams a foe at Clover Hill, you might feel the tremor at Manchester.
When Camire twists an adversary’s arm into a pretzel at Manchester, you may hear his victim cry “uncle “clear to Clover Hill.
The Central Region runner-up a year ago (to departed Jermaine Cord of Petersburg), Brown is ranked first in the area, sixth in Virginia.
The 6-3, 240-pound Camire (pronounced Kuh-merry) is ranked No. 2 locally.
Originally from Eden, N.C., Camire was 23-11 last year and sixth in the region. He fell to Brown three times in 2005, then again this season at Hopewell.
“We’re really good friends, “Camire said. “Since our schools are so close, we run into each other lot at open mats and stuff. We like to talk. Jim’s really a nice guy.”
Camire is 9-2 this season. His only other loss came to a North Carolina wrestler in the Richmond Invitational.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger since last year, and I’m best on my feet, “said Camire, who lists the “Russian “as his pet take-down maneuver.
While Camire trails the 270-pound Brown on the mats, he has football bragging rights. The Lancers never fallen to their rival since the two linemen came aboard.
Brown and Camire figure to tangle several more times this winter.
“For Matt to upset Jimbo, he’s got to out-condition him, “Lancers coach Paul Richardson said. “First, Matt has to wear him out . . . then try and win it in the third period.”
Camire isn’t one to throw around his weight outside the athletic arena. Away from competition, he’s active with Parkway Baptist Church youth group. His activities include cutting up in the “Improv “comedy group.
“Matt’s become a leader for us, “Richardson said. “He’s also good at adding some comic relief . . . keeping it light.”
In class, Camire carries a 3.0 grade-point average. He hopes to play college football. His suitors include Liberty, Randolph-Macon, Bridgewater and Shepherd.
“Football is my No. 1 sport, “he said. “I really came out for wrestling just to improve my footwork. Now, wrestling is in my blood, too.”
With many wrestling schools in the area, what are the chances of the two leading heavyweights living practically across the street from each other?
It’s a big kingdom; but with only one king.
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