Weitzenberg, Barry

Barry C. Weitzenberg

Sport:
water polo

Country Represented:
United States

Years Competed:
1968, 1972

Medals Received:
bronze

Olympic Info:
One of America's top water polo players in the 1960s and 1970s, Weitzenberg competed in two Olympiads. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the U.S. defeated Brazil 10-5, and then tied Cuba 6-6, despite outshooting the Cubans 19-0 in the game (11 of the 12 goals were scored on penalty throws). The U.S. finished third in their preliminary group with a record of 3-2-1 (they lost to Hungary and the Soviet Union), and then defeated East Germany in the fifth place game, 6-4. At the Games, Weitzenberg was selected to play in the "Gala," a match held on the final night of the competition featuring all-stars selected from all countries.

Barry returned to the U.S. Olympic water polo team four years later at the 1972 Munich Games. The U.S. ended the opening round undefeated (5-0), including a victory over Hungary, the defending Olympic champions. The Americans then tied West Germany and the Soviet Union, thus ending their hopes of a gold medal, but qualified to play Italy in the bronze medal match. The U.S. team defeated the Italians 6-5 to capture the bronze; it was first Olympic medal for the U.S. in water polo since the 1932 Games. One of Weitzenberg's teammates in Munich was Peter Asch.

Career Highlights:
An All-America water polo player at the University of California for three consecutive years (1965-67), Weitzenberg was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games; one of his teammates in 1971 was Peter Asch. Weitzenberg is a member of the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and the University of California Athletic Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Origin:
unknown

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