John Smith

John Smith is the most titled American wrestler ever. A freestyler, he won two NCAA championships while at Oklahoma State. His first major international victory was the Goodwill Games title in 1986, although he had also been Junior World Champion in 1985. In 1987, he won the Pan-American Championship and the World Championship. In 1988 and 1992, he was Olympic champion, and from 1989-91 he won the World Championships. He defended his Goodwill Games title in 1990 and his Pan-Ameican gold in 1991. From 1986 through 1990, Smith’s international record was 150-3. He is the younger brother of Lee Roy Smith, who helped coach John and who was also an NCAA champion and finished 2nd in the world championships in 1983. He later became head wrestling coach at his alma mater, and has led that team to five NCAA titles thru 2007.