Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith is a finalist for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame class of 2019, USA Wrestling announced Monday.
Smith, who competed at 62 kilograms in men’s freestyle, is widely regarded as the greatest American wrestler to ever step on the mat. After going 154-7-2 with two individual NCAA championships at OSU, Smith won six consecutive World Championships/Olympic gold medals, starting at the 1987 Worlds in Clermont-Ferrand, France. He is one of three American wrestlers to win two Olympic golds, taking the top of the podium at the 1988 Seoul Games and the 1992 Barcelona Games.