Henry Oberholzer

Born to Swiss parents, Henry Oberholzer’s father Rudolf was the chief director of exercises at the German Gymnastic Society in London, and a former celebrated professional gymnast who coached the British team at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Henry went on to become both a leading gymnast and wrestler.

Henry Oberholzer was a member of the Northampton Polytechnic Institute (NPI) gymnastics team, and in 1913 won the Adams Shield as NPI beat the Birmingham City team to capture the national team title. Having won German Gymnastic and NPI wrestling titles in 1911 and 1912 respectively, Oberholzer went on to win the British lightweight title in 1913. Shortly afterwards, he turned professional after an amateur career that saw him undefeated as a lightweight. Oberholzer was, at 19, the youngest member of the Great Britain gymnastics squad at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

After his active career, Oberholzer became a gymnastics coach and judge. Following the outbreak of World War II, he ran “Fit for Service” exercise classes, aimed at getting men and women of South Wales fit and ready to fight for their country. In 1949 Oberholzer published a book entitled “Recreative Wrestling”.