Fred Fozzard (born June 14, 1945) is an American former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He won a freestyle World Championship at the 1969 World Championships at 82 kg. He also placed fifth at the 1970 World Championships at 82 kg. As a college wrestler, Fozzard was a three-time All-American and 1967 NCAA wrestling champion at Oklahoma State.

Fred Fozzard
Personal information
Born (1945-06-14) June 14, 1945 (age 79)
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Home townPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamOklahoma State
TeamUSA
Coached byMyron Roderick
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1969 Mar del Plata 82 kg
Collegiate wrestling
Representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 1967 Kent 177 lb
Silver medal – second place 1966 Ames 177 lb
Bronze medal – third place 1968 State College 177 lb

In 2012, Fozzard was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[1]

Early life and education

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Fozzard was stricken with polio at the age of 2, but overcame the disability through hard work and determination. He attended Marshall High School in Portland, Oregon. As a high school wrestler, he was a two-time Oregon state champion.[2] He then attended Oklahoma State, where he was a three-time All-American and NCAA wrestling champion in 1967. He also would help Oklahoma State win two team NCAA championships, winning in 1966 and 1968.[3]

Freestyle wrestling career

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In 1969, Fozzard went on to become one of the first two Americans to win a freestyle World title, as he won gold at the 1969 World Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. He followed that up with a fifth-place finish at the 1970 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Fred Fozzard. nwhof.org. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Sanders, Fozzard to be honored. oregonlive.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Slater, Anthony. (June 2, 2012). National Wrestling Hall of Fame: Former OSU wrestler Fred Fozzard calls Anthony Robles his hero. oklahoman.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Fozzard to Be Inducted Into Wrestling Hall of Fame. flowrestling.org. Retrieved March 22, 2024.