Donald Stockton

Biography

Wrestler Don Stockton made his first of three Olympic appearances at Paris 1924, where he finished tied for fifth in the welterweight division. At Amsterdam 1928, he fought in the middleweight class and by virtue of losing to the eventual gold medalist in the semi-finals, Stockton had the opportunity to wrestle for silver, where he beat Anton Praeg of South Africa for the medal. He became the first Canadian to be awarded an Olympic silver medal in wrestling. At Los Angeles 1932, Stockton lost his first two bouts and was eliminated from the tournament.

A multiple middleweight Canadian champion (1924, 1925, 1928, 1931, 1932), Stockton also won the 174 and191lbs weight-class in1924. He started wrestling at the Verdun Athletic Club, but also played rugby. After his Olympic experiences, Stockton turned professional competing at the Mount Royal Arena, and also worked as a coach, referee and judge.

Stockton was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1953, Canadian Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1975, and Québec Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.