Scotland-born John Black moved to Canada and took up trap shooting at a young age, eventually representing his adopted nation at two editions of the Summer Olympics. In 1920 he entered the individual trap event, but failed to earn a medal. Four years later he captured a silver medal in the team event, alongside William Barnes, George Beattie, James Montgomery, Samuel Newton, and Samuel Vance. This team also came in third at that year’s British Championships. Outside of the Olympics, he had several notable tournament placements, including third at the 1918 Grand American Handicap and first at the 1921 Manitoba Provincial Championships. He died several months after winning his Olympic medal.
Canada