John da Silva Wiki – John da Silva Biography
John da Silva QSM was a New Zealand wrestler and boxer. Da Silva was born on 11 June 1934. He represented New Zealand in wrestling at the 1956 Olympics and at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In 1955 he held both the New Zealand Heavyweight Wrestling title and the Auckland Heavyweight Boxing title. He is of Portuguese, African, English, and French Tahitian descent. Paul Silva, a competitive woodchopper, was his uncle.
An amateur from 1953, he turned professional after the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. He wrestled throughout New Zealand and around the world. He retired in 1977 and subsequently worked with disadvantaged youth. In the 1994 New Year Honours, he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for community service.
He was invited by the late Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1963.
Da Silva also starred in the popular 1970’s television wrestling TV show ‘On the Mat’ along with wrestlers Steve Rickard and Robert Bruce.
Following his retirement in 1977, da Silva went on to work with at-risk youth with the aim to support and rehabilitate troubled young people.
John da Silva Age
John da Silva was 86 years old.
Cause of Death
New Zealand wrestling great John da Silva has died, aged 86.
His family confirmed his April 8 death at home on Great Barrier Island, saying his health had deteriorated over the last few months, with “the big man finally succumbing to a short bout of pneumonia”.
A heavyweight, da Silva represented New Zealand at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and the 1958 British Empire Games in Cardiff.
He was also a huge influence on his son Garth da Silva’s sporting career.
A multiple New Zealand heavyweight boxing champion, Garth also represented New Zealand at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
“John da Silva will be remembered for many things, not least of which his towering presence, his immense mana and humility, and his uncompromising compassion and love for all who came into contact with him,” his family said in a statement.
A private service for family and friends will be held in Auckland on April 23.