George Mackenzie (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
George MacKenzie was a wrestler
from Islington
.
Mackenzie became British lightweight champion in 1909, winning the title again in 1912, 1922, 1924, 1932, and 1941. Additionally, he held the featherweight title in 1921 and 1922. He lost the title to W Schneeberger in 1923, but regained the title in 1924. He was a leading member and coach of the Pentonville
-based Ashdown Club, the premier British wrestling association of the period.
Mackenzie competed in the 1908 Olympics
, finishing fourth. He competed in four further Olympics in total, up to 1928. He officiated at an additional four, and was chosen to carry the UK flag in the opening ceremony of the 1952 Olympics
.
He died of lung cancer in 1956.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
from Islington
London Borough of Islington
The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. It was formed in 1965 by merging the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies, Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury...
.
Mackenzie became British lightweight champion in 1909, winning the title again in 1912, 1922, 1924, 1932, and 1941. Additionally, he held the featherweight title in 1921 and 1922. He lost the title to W Schneeberger in 1923, but regained the title in 1924. He was a leading member and coach of the Pentonville
Pentonville
Pentonville is an area of north-central London in the London Borough of Islington, centred on the Pentonville Road. The area is named after Henry Penton, who developed a number of streets in the 1770s in what was open countryside adjacent to the New Road...
-based Ashdown Club, the premier British wrestling association of the period.
Mackenzie competed in the 1908 Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
, finishing fourth. He competed in four further Olympics in total, up to 1928. He officiated at an additional four, and was chosen to carry the UK flag in the opening ceremony of the 1952 Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
.
He died of lung cancer in 1956.