Mirosław Złotkowski (23 June 1956 – 24 March 2006) was a Polish Greco-Roman wrestler who changed to Freestyle wrestling after emigrating to New Zealand.
He was among the most promising young wrestlers in Poland, where he represented the MZKS Jelenia Góra club, in mid to late 1970s, frequently finishing in the top three at national tournaments. He was also member of the training squad for the 1980 Olympics but due to personal circumstances decided to temporarily retire from the sport.
After a lengthily pause he resumed wrestling in New Zealand. In 1991 he joined the Bryndwr YMCA and Crichton Cobbers clubs in Christchurch, where he was trained by Steve Yarbrough. He won gold at the New Zealand national wrestling championship in July 1991 and a bronze medal at the IV Commonwealth Wrestling Championship, in Dunedin, in October 1991, both in the 100 – 130 kg category. He also won the National Tauranga Highland Games in the Open Division in March 1992.
He died on 24 March 2006 of bile duct cancer, and was buried at Sydenham Cemetery.
Notable achievements YearTournamentVenueCategoryRank1972Spartakiada Dolnośląska (Junior Lower Silesian Spartakiad)Wrocław87+ kg2nd1973Turniej nadziei olimpiskich "Moskwa 80" (1980 Moscow Olympics ID Tournament)Olsztyn87+ kg3rd1973Turniej o "Złoty Pas" ("Golden Belt" Tournament)Jelenia Góra87+ kg1st1974Turniej o "Złoty Pas" ("Golden Belt" Tournament)Jelenia Góra87+ kg1st1974Mistrzostwa Dolnego Śląska Juniorów (Lower Silesian Junior Championship)Jelenia Góra100+ kg1st1975II Ogolnopolski Festiwal Dozynkowy LZS (National LZS Tournament)Koszalin100 kg1st1975Mistrzostwa Polski Juniorow (Polish Junior Championship)Elbląg100–130 kg3rd1976Turniej p.n. "Szukamy Olimpijczykow" (Olympic ID Tournament)Radom100+ kg1st1976Mistrzostwa W.F.S. (W.F.S. Tournament)Jelenia Góra100+ kg1st1976Mistrzostwa Polski Juniorow (Polish Junior Championship)Warsaw100+ kg4th1977Spartakiada Dolnośląska (Senior Lower Silesian Spartakiad)Jelenia Góra100+ kg1st1977Mistrzostwa II Ligi Indywidualnej (II Division Championship)Bielawa100+ kg1st1991New Zealand ChampionshipChristchurch100–130 kg1st1991IV Commonwealth Wrestling ChampionshipDunedin100–130 kg3rd1992National Tauranga Highland GamesTauranga100–130 kg1st
References The Press, Monday, 22 July 1991 News Advertiser, Monday, 5 August 1991 Christchurch Star, Tuesday, 30 July 1991
External links International Wrestling Database