John McCourtney

Scotland’s John McCourtney started wrestling at the Milngavie 41 Club in 1959 and five years later was a reserve for the Tokyo Olympics, but never made the trip. Having taken part in the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Kingston, McCourtney went to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics but was eliminated in the second round of the freestyle featherweight competition.

McCourtney’s most successful year of his career was 1968. Not only did he go to the Olympics, but he was also the British featherweight champion, and became the first man to win the British freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Cumberland Championships in the same year. He also won the Scottish freestyle title that year.

In preparation for the Mexico Olympics, McCourtney travelled to Turkey to train with the Turkish national wrestling coach. To get to Turkey he travelled overland on a Lambretta scooter and took five days to get there.