Dave McKay

Wrestling, Athlete, Inducted 2020

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Throughout his early teen years, Dave McKay achieved success in a number of sports, from soccer, hockey to national titles in judo.

By 17, the Winnipeg-born athlete focused on wrestling, capturing the Canadian junior Greco Roman wrestling title in his first attempt. A year later at the World junior championships, McKay won bronze in freestyle wrestling.

Transferring to Simon Fraser University, McKay collected a string of university, national and international medals on route to earning a prime seat on the national wrestling team. He represented Canada at both the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Games.

In L.A., McKay won his first match 13-0 before bowing out in round 3. Four years later, he built on that experience, placing fifth after registering the third-best record in Pool B before falling to the eventual 68-kilogram silver and bronze medalists.

McKay retired in 1989 and has applied his passion and knowledge as coach at the local, national, and international levels.