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Henry Leeke (athlete)

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Henry Leeke
Personal information
Born6 February 1846
Holbrook, Derbyshire, England
Died21 February 1922 (aged 76)
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
Sport
SportAthletics
EventHammer throw / Shot put
ClubTrinity College, Cambridge

Henry Leeke (6 February 1846[1] – 21 February 1922) was a notable British amateur athlete, and Amateur Champion of England in the hammer throw and shot put.[2]

Early years

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Born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, Leeke was the son of the Reverend William Leeke and his wife, Mary Anne. His father was a noted Waterloo historian and famous for carrying the Colour of the 52nd Light Infantry during the battle.[3]

Athletic career

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He represented the University of Cambridge in the hammer throw and shot put,[3] winning the hammer event against Oxford in 1868.[4] He was recognised as "one of the pioneers of British hammer throwing", and was the 3 x British Champion, winning the AAC Championships in 1868, 1870 and 1872.[4]

Personal life

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He married the daughter of Matthew Wise of Shrubland Hall, Leamington,[5] with whom he had five daughters and one son, Henry Alan Leeke, who represented Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics, and who died in 1915.[3]

Leeke died at Cliff House, Leamington on 21 February 1922, aged 76.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916
  2. ^ "WAAA and National Championships Medallists". NUTS.
  3. ^ a b c d "A Notable Athlete", The Times Thursday, February 23, 1922, p. 15, col. 4
  4. ^ a b "Henry Leeke". Olympics at Sports Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  5. ^ "Biographies and Services", The Times, Wednesday 2 June 1915, p. 8 col. 4