Past Olympics! Snowy Baker – sporting champ who became a film star

The greatest sportsman in the world!

After the 1908 Olympic Games, he became an international celebrity. His name is Reginald Leslie “Snowy” Baker and he is the greatest sportsman in the world.

Baker proved his class in world competition as a champion boxer, footballer, swimmer, sculler, diver, gymnast and horseman. 

He won Australian amateur boxing championships in several divisions. 

At the 1908 London Games he won the silver medal in the middleweight boxing division, losing a disputed division to the Englishman, J.W.H.T Douglas. Douglas later went on to become captain of the cricket team.
 

Main: “Hands Up!” said the thugs. Film shows “Snowy” protecting his girlfriend, Friday
 

In Rugby Union, he was only 16 when he played half-back for NSW in 1900. The following year he gained his Australian cap against England.

Between 1901 and 1906 he excelled in swimming, water polo, diving and rowing and winning many championships in individual and team events. 

With the NSW Lancers he was outstanding in military competitions, such as horseback, wrestling and tent pegging.

Baker attended Crown Street Public School in Surry Hills. He was a quadruple blue at Sydney University – cricket, rowing, athletics and football.
 

A group photo shows “Snowy” Baker in white gear and Aussie Director, Charles Chauvel.
 

Baker quickly became an international celebrity. He toured extensively throughout Europe, successfully competing and demonstrating in many sports – and horseback riding, too!

Later, he became a successful entrepreneur and film star in Australia and America.

Snowy Baker will always be one of this country’s most legendary sporting figures. Baker was born in 1884 and died in 1953.
 

“Snowy” Baker: Everything he touches turns to Gold!
 

<< Adapted Frank Morris. Hall of Champions. Sport House, Sydney.