John Smith Biography

John William Smith, born August 9, 1965, is an American folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. Smith secured two NCAA Division I national titles and achieved six world-level championships, including two Olympic and four World Wrestling Championships victories. He is the only American wrestler to win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor. Smith concluded his competitive wrestling career with more World and Olympic gold medals than any other American. While in high school, Smith had a 105–5 record and was a two-time Oklahoma state champion. Smith became the head wrestling coach at Oklahoma State in 1991. He brought 23 team conference titles to Stillwater as a coach.