Edward MORGAN

Ted Morgan, who emigrated to New Zealand in 1907, became the first New Zealander to win an Olympic gold medal while competing for New Zealand (swimmer Malcolm Champion in 1912 had competed for “Australasia”). Morgan won the welterweight division at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in 1928, despite dislocating a finger of his left hand when sparring in London a week before the Games. Morgan was left-handed — a southpaw — which made the injury even more critical to his chances. Morgan protected the hand as much as he could during his first three bouts, each of which he won on points, but could contain himself no longer in the final. He hit his opponent, Argentine Paul Landini, with his left but Morgan thought he suffered more. The final went the distance but Landini congratulated and hugged Morgan before the unanimous decision was announced. Morgan later had a brief professional career and when his fighting days were over, he turned to refereeing and judging. He married a fellow competitor, Norma Wilson, who competed in the 100 metres in Amsterdam.