Robert Steckle
Canadian wrestler (1930–2022)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert John Steckle (August 21, 1930 – September 25, 2022)[1] was a Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestler from Canada who competed in three consecutive summer Olympic Games, starting in 1952.[2] He carried the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies[3] of the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, the only Canadian wrestler ever to do so. He was born in Kitchener, Ontario.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| Robert Steckle | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 191 lb (87 kg) |
| Born | August 21, 1930 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | September 25, 2022 (aged 92) Kitchener, Ontario, Canada |
| High school | Kitchener Collegiate Institute |
| College | University of Guelph |
| Olympic team | Canada |
| Status | Retired |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's wrestling | ||
Representing  Canada | ||
| British Empire and Commonwealth Games | ||
 | 1954 Vancouver | Light Heavyweight |
 | 1958 Cardiff | Light Heavyweight |
| Pan American Games | ||
| 1963 São Paulo | Light Heavyweight |
Steckle won silver at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (light heavyweight 87 kg) and bronze at the 1958 Empire Commonwealth Games (light heavyweight 87 kg).[4] He took silver at the 1963 Pan-American Games (87 kg).[5]
Steckle was the 1955 and 1957 AAU Greco-Roman National Champion (191 lbs),[6] as well as the Canadian Freestyle champion in 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, and 1963, and Greco-Roman champion in 1952, 1956, and 1960. He was inducted as an Athlete into the Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1983,[7] and into the University of Guelph Gryphon Hall of Fame in 1984 for his contributions to Gryphon football as the 1951 Wildman Trophy recipient[8] in addition to his accomplishments in wrestling.