N.Z. wrestler wins 2 medals

Auckland welterweight wrestler John McRae captured a silver medal in the freestyle class and a bronze in the Greco-Roman during the Olympic Games for the Deaf in Helsinki.

In the freestyle he missed the title by only one point. His third place in the Greco-Roman was also a particularly fine effort as he had not competed in this style before.

Thirty-one wrestlers from Turkey, Iran, Finland, America, Russia and New Zealand competed in the Games. It was a Russian who beat McRae for the freestyle crown.

Before he left New Zealand McRae received coaching from Aucklander Ray Nola, who competed in this year’s world championships.

McRae was Auckland lightweight champion in 1949 and 1950. In 1949 he was runner-up in the national championships and won the award for the most scientific wrestler in 1952.

He won the Auckland welterweight title in 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1960. He was nominated for the Vancouver Empire Games but missed selection.