John Smith (American wrestler)

This article is about the American Olympic wrestler. For the Zambian wrestler, see John Smith (Zambian wrestler). For the American professional wrestler, see J.T. Smith (wrestler).

John Smith
Personal information
Full nameJohn William Smith
BornAugust 9, 1965 (1965-08-09) (age 59)
Del City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight62 kg (137 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Weight class62 kg
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamOklahoma State
ClubSunkist Kids Wrestling Club
TeamUSA
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 62 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 Clermont-Ferrand 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1989 Martigny 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1990 Tokyo 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1991 Varna 62 kg
Goodwill Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Moscow 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1990 Seattle 62 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis 62 kg
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana 62 kg
Grand Masters of Olympic Wrestling
Gold medal – first place Pittsburgh 1990 62 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 College Park 134 lb
Gold medal – first place 1988 Ames 134 lb
Silver medal – second place 1985 Oklahoma City 134 lb

John William Smith (born August 9, 1965)[1] is an American folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion, and a six-time world level champion with two Olympic Championships and four World Wrestling Championships. Smith is the only American wrestler ever to win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor. At the end of his competitive career, Smith had won more World and Olympic gold medals in wrestling than any other American. Smith was widely known for his low single leg takedown,[2][3] and is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time.[4][5][6]

Wrestling career

High School

Smith wrestled at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. While in high school Smith had a 105–5 record, and was a two-time Oklahoma state champion.[7]

College

Smith competed collegiately at Oklahoma State University. While at Oklahoma State University, Smith's college career record was 154-7-2. At the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Smith was a three-time national finalist and a two-time national champion. After losing in the 1985 finals to future US House representative Jim Jordan, he finished his college career with 90 consecutive victories.

Senior level

Beginning in his teenage years, Smith competed internationally in freestyle wrestling. Highlights of his career include four UWW World gold medals, and two Olympic gold medals. At the Senior level, his international freestyle wrestling record was 100–5, with an overall record of 177–8.[8] He is the only American wrestler to ever win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor.[9]

Coaching career

Smith became the head wrestling coach at Oklahoma State University in 1991. During his tenure, Oklahoma State University won five NCAA Division I national team titles, with titles coming in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. As of 2022, his overall dual meet record was 490-73-6.[10] He had also coached 33 NCAA Division I individual national champions, and coached his wrestlers to 152 All-American honors. Smith has brought 21 team conference titles and 129 individual conference championships to Stillwater as a coach, as well. On April 11, 2024 he announced his retirement and departure from OSU. [9] David Taylor was appointed as his successor.

Awards and honors

1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985

Other honors

Family

Smith's older brother Lee Roy Smith and younger brother Pat Smith are NCAA Division I wrestling national champions, with Pat being the sport's first ever four-time NCAA national champion. Smith's youngest brother, Mark, was also a successful NCAA Division I wrestler, having placed in the top five nationally three times. Smith's nephews Mark Perry and Chris Perry are also NCAA Division I national champions. His son, Joe Smith, earned NCAA All-American honors twice while wrestling at Oklahoma State under his coaching.[13] Another nephew of Smith, J. T. Realmuto, is a Major League Baseball player.[14]

See also

Bibliography

  • Dellinger, Bob & Doris. 1994. The Cowboys Ride Again. Oklahoma Bylines Inc. ISBN 978-1-882336-04-3
  • Zavoral, Nolan. 1997. A Season on the Mat. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-684-84787-0
  • Hammond, Jairus K. 2005. The History of Collegiate Wrestling. National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. ISBN 978-0-9765064-0-9
  • Moffat, James V. 2007. Wrestlers At The Trials. Exit Zero Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9799051-0-0
  • Parrish, Kim D. 2007. Cowboy Up. Oklahoma Heritage Association. ISBN 978-1-885596-61-1

References

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "John Smith". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016.
  2. ^ Brownlee, Shannon. (March 14, 1988). How Low Can You Get?. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. ^ History Of The Low Single Leg and Overlooking the Legend who Invented it – John Smith. bjjee.com. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  4. ^ John Smith Named Greatest American Wrestler of All Time. okstate.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Steen, Alex. (September 3, 2016). Top 10 Greatest Olympic Wrestlers of All Time - Men's Freestyle. The Open Mat. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Binoy, Allan. (July 26, 2021). Top 5 American Wrestlers to Ever Compete at the Olympics. Essentially Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  7. ^ Wojciehowski, Gene. (July 19, 1992). Wrestling With Himself : Olympic Champion John Smith Blocks Out Everything Else, Then Beats Everyone Else. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Abbott, Gary (November 19, 2004). "Smith vs. Sarkissian is the new "Bout of the Week"". content.usawmembership.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "John Smith - 2018-19 Wrestling Coaching Staff - Oklahoma State University". okstate.com. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "John Smith". okstate.com.
  11. ^ "Class of 1997". April 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Smith, John W. | 2020".
  13. ^ "Joe Smith - 2019-20 - Wrestling - Oklahoma State University Athletics". Okstate.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Playing first base? That's nothing for J.T. Realmuto, former QB/power forward/shortstop/wrestler - South Florida Sun Sentinel - South Florida Sun-Sentinel". March 22, 2017.