Dan gobel biography
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The following year, at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, Gable delivered a legendary performance by winning the gold medal in the 68 kg freestyle category without conceding a single point throughout the tournament. The Soviets came to the Olympics with only one goal in mind: to defeat Gable. The 1984 Olympic team, which featured four Hawkeyes, won seven gold medals.
He clinched two NCAA Division I national titles in 1968 and 1969 and was a three-time All-American and three-time Big Eight champion. Several networks, including ESPN and HBO have aired documentaries on Gable’s life and accomplishments.
Some of his most recent accolades include being named the top wrestler of the 20th Century by Gannett News Service; listed as one of the top coaches in the 20th Century by ESPN and named Iowa’s top “sports figure” in the past 100 years.
Competing from 1967 to 1970, he amassed a remarkable collegiate record of 117-1.
He won an unprecedented six Midlands Open championships and was that meet’s outstanding wrestler five times. Gable won a Gold Medal at famed 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich Germany without surrendering a single point. He also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 2002.
Full Biography
During his prep and college Wrestling careers, Dan Gable compiled an unbelievable record of 181-1.
In late January, he underwent hip replacement surgery, missing four dual meets while recuperating. Gable has been named to the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame and is only the third wrestler to be inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in the Legend category. During this period, the Hawkeyes emerged as a national powerhouse, achieving a 51-7-5 dual meet record, winning three Big Ten titles, and securing two NCAA championships.
Gable also served as head coach of the World Team in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1994 and 1999, as well as 10 World Cup teams winning three team golds in the World Cup competition.
In 1976, Gable was appointed head coach of the University of Iowa wrestling program.
Beyond his competitive and coaching achievements, Gable has been a prominent advocate for wrestling, serving on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and sharing his experiences through motivational speaking engagements.
Dan Gable, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional amateur wrestlers and coaches in American history, was born on October 25, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa. Iowa shattered its own NCAA team points record, scoring 170 points during the three-day tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa (UNI).
Gable has coached many United States teams in International Freestyle competition.
He began his wrestling journey at Waterloo West High School, where he achieved an impeccable record of 64-0, securing three consecutive Iowa state championships. His dedication to the sport and his unparalleled success have left an indelible mark on the wrestling community, solidifying his legacy as a true icon in the world of amateur wrestling.
Dan was named Man of the Year by the Amateur Wrestling News in 1971, and was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977 with Bob Siddens.
Dan Gable
Hall Of Fame Bio
Dan Gable is a two-time NCAA national champion, a world gold medalist and an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
Gable also coached the U.S. team to a bronze medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games, and has led several all-star teams to Europe and the Soviet Union.
Gable has been named to several Halls of Fame including but not limited to the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, the US Olympic Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK and is the name sake of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, IA.
He was selected the nation’s outstanding wrestler by the AAU in 1970, and the US Wrestling Federation in 1971. Gable was a two time NCAA National Wrestling Champion and three-time all-American and three-time Big Eight champion. Growing up in Waterloo, Iowa, Gable compiled a 181-1 record throughout his high school and collegiate wrestlingcareer.
He was undefeated in 64 prep matches, and was 117-1 at Iowa State University.