Gymnast, Martial Artist, Stage Performer, Sports Techniques Coach …
“What has Ted done to make him such an expert?”
This is a question which I know is often asked.
I hope some of the following goes towards answering it.
These are taken from my autobiography “My Escape from Barbados“.
As a naive 20 year old, stepping off the train at Victoria station, London, in January of 1962 was a moment I will never forget. Throughout my early years in Barbados everything fell my way. I never had to pay any bills, or even go shopping for food. I always had money in my pockets.
How things were to change! As I left that train, I was frozen to the bone, I was completely lost and bewildered and I thought, “Ansley, why ever did you leave Barbados? What can this frozen country offer me?”
Looking back now I can answer that – an amazing future. Ranging from the Caribbean, to Europe, Asia, the Far and Middle East – including Iran, Lebanon and Israel – and the USA.
I’ve since competed with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Professional Mr Universe. Won an eight-man wrestling knockout tournament in London. Played the part of Bruce Lee and featured on-stage with Bruce Lee’s brother, Robert. Then worked in over thirty countries with 4 of my own, original, top billing cabaret acts. On the way I fell in love with a Princess and performed at a Queen’s birthday party in Iran! And that’s without even mentioning the international golfers I helped, the Martial Arts or the Specialist Personal Training in many different fields. It has been, and still is, after 82 years, amazing.
As I know you will see when you read it.
Even at the age of 7, the way in which people walked and performed different movements fascinated me. The human brain is truly amazing. It has almost unlimited capabilities and yet very few people ever make the effort to develop that potential which lies dormant in all of us.
The winner was a young man called Arnold Schwarzenegger.
(2nd left back row) – I am on the back row, right.
I was very interested in achieving excellence and was always trying to push the limits of what my body could do. Initially this was purely in physique, but it soon began to encompass gymnastics, most forms of sport, stage performances and, throughout it all, the martial arts.
This wide experience, over many decades, gave me an understanding of what I was capable of and also where I could, and did, improve.
I think I managed it OK.
I went into Wrestling from Shoot Fighting, which is a continuous fight for submission. Jack Dale finally booked me for a professional wrestling match at The Borough Assembly Hall in Aylesbury, Bucks and I was up against Joe Queseck.
To this day, I can still hear my sister Dolly screaming at the top of her voice,
“Ansley, you can beat him!” I was “The Good Guy” and “From Aylesbury” – so of course I won!
Soon after that I went on to win an 8-man knockout contest in London.
For many years I was a stage performer, incorporating all the gymnastics and fight techniques to wow audiences around the world. Initially in a comedy Duo, then part of a Trio and finally as “The Ansleys” with my wife.
(Centre Above ) The Trio, on the stage set of the late Walter Chiari.
Walter was arguably the greatest natural comedian to grace the stage in Italy.
We were proud to have a five month theatre tour of Italy with Walter.
(Left) The photo was taken at the entrance to the palace grounds.
Part of the show performed at Queen Farah’s birthday party at the palace, near the Caspian sea, Iran
(Right) Ted off the top diving board in Teheran, Iran.
The dive was okay, but when I hit the water my trunks flew off. It made Jean’s day
The Ansley’s were one of the top acts in the World – always in demand and booked solidly all year long.
Chez Paul – (Translation) The Ansleys, who were performing for the first time, bring a novelty in the field of the show. Indeed, these artists have transposed a remarkable twist on this martial art scene called Kung Fu. An original number, violent, disturbing and endearing.
Translation from newspaper article: HAMBURG (ed).
“A dynamic Kung Fu Fight is one of the highlights in the Hansa Theatre in Hamburg February program. It is presented by Susan and Theodore Ansley, which can be seen for the first time in Germany. The idiosyncratic choreography, explosive combat action and almost delicate nuances in the lifting passages convey to the audience a touch of strangers and exceptional finesse. The artists from England make use of the nunchaku, a feared Chinese weapon consisting of two rods connected by a chain. Viewers are fascinated by this powerful performance.”
I used the Nunchaku routine as a regular opening for the adagio act on stage. I have since worked tirelessly to perform a truly unique sequence of movements. This was recorded during a training session and the final result will be even more dramatic throughout – especially the ending. Click below to watch
Bruce Lee’s brother Robert told me he had watched the epic “Way of the Dragon” fight scene which Doug Robinson and I re-created (originally between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris) and set in the Coliseum. To my surprise Robert invited me to join him on stage and ad lib what I thought Bruce might have done to the song “Jeet Kune Do”.
Of course I was delighted to share the stage with Robert Lee. The audience loved the unannounced surprise.
Lorenz Zatecky was the first fashion photographer to combine modelling and the martial arts.
well balanced stance. He was a tough guy to train with on the mat.
Right. Peter Vincent, 4th Dan, training with Ted at the Rising Sun Judo Club
Golf became another major part of my life. There were many similarities between training for Martial Arts and the flexibility essential for playing golf, especially at a professional level.
at the Senior Open Palm Springs (1988)
(Left to Right) Malcolm Needs, Nat Rasasco my dear late friend, Gary Player,
Me and Ronnie Rascia
I travelled the world, coaching, training and giving physio to the top players, including the European PGA Annual Golf Training School.
Ted coaches future stars at Champions Gate, the Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida David Leadbetter is standing directly behind Ted
For more Ted Golf Action just click on the image
sound techniques, training, discipline and dedication
My thanks to James Latter (Absolute Golf) for the superb work he did on my daughter’s golf clubs
also to West Hove Golf Club for allowing me to use their facilities.
I was also interested in both film and TV work.
Generation Game on BBC TV – with Neil Adams helping to judge the results
Island – Clips from film with Ted Pollard in Martial Arts Action
Click to view
Ultimately, Gym Work is not all about lifting heavy weights. Always build in flexibility techniques as these are what give you life-long fitness.
Dare I suggest that I am living proof of that ?
BBC Sports Website in 2018
Click picture to view
