Barry Oldridge

Barry Oldridge, born in Featherston in 1950, represented New Zealand at two Commonwealth Games and the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

He won five New Zealand titles in the bantamweight (57kg) category - from 1973-76 and in 1980. In 1975, he was awarded the prestigious H M Allan Cup for the most scientific wrestler at the national championships.

Oldridge’s first Games were at Christchurch in 1974 in the bantamweight division. As with all the wrestling in Christchurch, the field was small – just five competitors.

The Waikato man was unable to bring the spectators at Christchurch Town Hall much joy – he lost his first bout, to eventual bronze medallist Kevin Burke of Australia, on points. In his next bout, he suffered another points loss, to Indian Prem Nath, the eventual gold medallist, on points.

The New Zealander was competitive in both bouts.

Oldridge improved markedly over the next two years and was chosen for the 1976 Olympics, where he lost his first bout, to Yugoslav Risto Dariev, decisively on points. He struck trouble in the repechage and was eliminated by Georgios Hatziioannidis of Greece on a fall after 2min 18s.

At the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Oldridge finished 4th in the bantamweight class.

He lost his first bout, to Indian Satbir Singh, the eventual gold medallist ,when he was disqualified. In the repechage he beat the Australian, Dzafer Dzeladini on points. In his third bout, Oldridge was outpointed by Canadian Michael Barry and in his final bout, need a win to get among the medals, Oldridge found Amrik Singh of England too skilled and lost by a fall after 3min 34s.