Steve fraser wrestling biography

He was the first American wrestler ever to win an Olympic medal in the Greco-Roman style, in itself a spectacular achievement.

Steve fraser wrestling biography

But Steve Fraser's Olympic medal was gold, and that makes it part of history.

Although the shadow of an Iron Curtain boycott tarnished the image of the Los Angeles Games, there was no dearth of talent in the 198 pound class of Greco-Roman wrestling.

The favorite was Frank Andersson of Sweden, three-time world champion and six-time World medalist.

But Fraser was armed with The Headlock, an awesome weapon that had knocked one opponent unconscious and had defeated a future World Champion during the USA Olympic trials, then had pummeled another Olympic champion-to-be during two weeks of training.

Andersson, too, fell victim to this deadly attack, a three-point throw spurring the American to a stunning 4-1 victory.

Fraser then vanquished another World medalist, Ilie Matei of Romania, for the gold medal.

Fraser was a state high school champion at Hazel Park, M