Michigan in International Competition

Over the last century, the University of Michigan has made its mark in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Fourteen different athletes and coaches have represented the Maize and Blue at the highest level of international competition, combining for 12 medals — six gold, two silver and four bronze.

Former Wolverine Steve Fraser (’80) became the first American to earn an Olympic medal in Greco-Roman wrestling when he captured gold in the 198-pound division at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif. Fraser registered a 5-0 mark en route to the achievement, including a 1-1 criteria decision over Romania’s Ilie Matei in the gold-medal final. Fraser also won gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and was a member of the 1979 and 1982 U.S. World Teams. He was named the 1984 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year and was a finalist for the James E. Sullivan Award.

Fraser has served as the National Greco-Roman coach since 1995. Under his guidance, the U.S. team claimed the third-place medal at the 2001 World Championships and again in 2006, marking the only U.S. team medals ever at the prestigious event. Fellow Michigan alum Joe Warren (’00) captured the 60 kg/132-pound gold medal at the 2006 World Championships, where he rallied to defeat Georgia’s David Bedinadze, 1-1, 4-1, 2-1, to become just the fifth American wrestler to win a Greco-Roman world title.

Michigan Wrestlers at the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup: