John da Silva

Who is John da Silva?

John Walter da Silva, QSM, or John Silva is a former New Zealand wrestler and boxer. 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 was an amateur from 1953, then 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. He was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service in the 1994 New Year Honours. He now lives on Great Barrier Island. He is the father of boxer Garth da Silva.