John McRae’s Wrestling Bronze Medal: World Deaf Games, Helsinki 1961 — SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand

John McRae’s Wrestling Bronze Medal: World Deaf Games, Helsinki 1961

John McRae participated in two sports at the World Deaf Games in Helsinki, Finland – the indoor men’s basketball, and wrestling. It was in the Wrestling Greco-Roman (67-73kg) category that John won a bronze medal. In the same Games, he also won another medal, a silver medal in the Wrestling Freestyle (67-73kg) category.

In John’s Auckland wrestling career, he won numerous awards with the Auckland Wrestling Association: 1947 – A.W.A. Junior Welter Weight Championship Runner-Up; 1949 – A.W.A. Light Weight Championship; 1949 – A.W.A. J.O’Hanlon Cup; Most Improved Wrestler; 1950 – A.W.A. Light Weight Chamionship; 1950 – A.W.A. Inter-Gym Light Weight; 1951 – A.W.A. Light Weight Championships Runner-Up; 1952 – AW.A. Welter-Weight Championship; 1954 – A.W.A. Welter Weight Championship; 1955 – A.W.A. WelterWeight Championship; 1956 – A.W.A. WelterWeight Championship; 1962 – A.W.A. Runner Up Welter.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Four Deaflympics: From Judo to Wrestling to Sumo

Milton competed in four Deaflympics before retiring at age 48. His first was in 1989, but he represented Australia instead of New Zealand. He was ineligible to play for NZ under a rule that required six months of residency. Though disappointed, he went on to win gold in the 90 to 100 kg wrestling division. His background in judo helped him succeed. Toward the end of his career, he also gave sumo a go and earned a bronze medal.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Milton Reedy

Inspired by Robert Algie: Milton’s Wrestling Journey

Milton, who competed in four Deaflympics, credits Robert Algie as a major influence on his wrestling career. He was inspired after watching Robert win two silver medals in freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 1981 World Deaf Games. Milton began training in Auckland but only started competing after moving to Australia. He fondly recalls crossing paths with Robert at a 1985 competition in Melbourne, and watching his rise to the 1986 Commonwealth Games and qualification for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which he sadly had to withdraw from after a cancer diagnosis. Milton later visited Robert’s grave in Featherston and remains grateful for the inspiration that shaped his sporting journey.

John McRae

Relevant Links

Taonga source:

John McRae

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, 003-O-JMR

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This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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