| Richard Parkyn | |
| Birth Date: | 1774 |
| Birth Place: | Parkyn's Shop |
| Death Place: | Cornwall, England |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight: | 235 lb |
| Nickname: | The Great Parkyn |
Richard Parkyn (c. 1772 - May 28, 1855) was a champion Cornish wrestler. He was born at Parkyn's Shop which lies at three parish boundaries, St Columb Major, St Columb Minor and St Mawgan. There was a saying at the time that Parkyn was "So great that all three parishes claimed him". He was also known as The Great Parkyn. Little is recorded about his life other than newspaper reports of his fights. "Parkyn, a friend of the Cornish hero James Polkinghorne died at Parkyn Shop where he and his ancestors resided during 170 years on 28 May 1855, aged 81 years."
According to the Sporting Magazine... "His head, a little bald on the crown, but otherwise well covered with fine bushy black hair, curling a little on his broad brawny shoulders, and his erect honest bold front and firm step, were worth travelling a hundred miles to behold. He stands six feet high, and weighs two hundred and thirty-two pounds, although as lean as a post-horse." [1]
Thomas King Chambers wrote of comparing him to a bronze statue of Hercules.The nearest approach to it which I have heard of, as attained by muscular development without awkward and inconvenient obesity, is in the instance of Parkins