Black History Month: African-Americans with the most major international wrestling medals
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Jordan Burroughs, shown on the way to a World gold medal in Paris in 2017, has won multiple international medals for the USA during his career. Larry Slater photo.
As part of Black History Month, USA Wrestling has featured different historical facts about great African-American wrestlers and their legacy in the sport.
In past years, we have highlighted athletes who were trailblazers, the first African-Americans to reach an important achievement and blaze the trails for others. This year, the focus will be on the great African-American wrestlers who have won the most major international medals for Team USA.
Clearly, one of the most successful African-American wrestling stars, based upon winning the most international medals, is current Team USA star Jordan Burroughs. He has won the most World gold medals among great African Americans with four, the most World medals with five and the most Olympic gold medals with one (tied with Kenny Monday and Kevin Jackson).
On the Greco-Roman scene, heavyweight Dremiel Byers stands out, holding the most World medals among African Americans with three, and the most World gold medals with one. Two African-Americans have won Greco-Roman World medals, Greg Gibson, a silver in 1984 and Rodney Smith, a bronze in 1992.
In women’s wrestling, Randi Miller is the only African American Olympic medalist, with a bronze medal in 2008 and Iris Smith is the only World champion, with a title in 2005. Two African Americans have won a pair of World medals, Toccara Montgomery and Tina George.
We are proud to celebrate the achievements and impact of African American wrestlers, and appreciate the opportunity every February to share information on these amazing athletes and leaders.
Most Freestyle Olympic gold medals – Three tied with one – Kenny Monday, Kevin Jackson, Jordan Burroughs
Freestyle Olympic golds (by year)
1988 - Kenny Monday (163)
1992 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
2012 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
Most Freestyle Olympic medals – Kenny Monday with two
In total, nine African American wrestlers have won an Olympic freestyle medal. Kenny Monday, who won gold in 1988 and silver in 1992, is the only with more than one.
Freestyle Olympic medals (by year)
1976 - Lloyd Keaser (silver, 149.5)
1988 - Kenny Monday (gold, 163), Nate Carr (bronze, 149.5)
1992 - Kevin Jackson (gold, 180.5) Kenny Monday (silver, 163), Chris Campbell (bronze, 198)
1996 - Townsend Saunders (silver, 149.5)
2004 – Jamill Kelly (silver, 145.5)
2012 – Jordan Burroughs (gold, 163)
2016 – J’den Cox (bronze, 189)
Most Freestyle World gold medals – Jordan Burroughs with four
There are three African American wrestlers who have won more than one World gold medal. Jordan Burroughs has four World titles, Lee Kemp has three World titles, Kevin Jackson has two World titles.
Freestyle World gold medals
1973 - Lloyd Keaser (149.5)
1978 - Lee Kemp (163)
1979 - Lee Kemp (163)
1981 - Chris Campbell (180.5)
1982 - Lee Kemp (163)
1989 - Kenny Monday (163)
1991 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
1993 - Melvin Douglas (198)
1995 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
2011 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2013 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2015 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2017 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
Most Freestyle World medals – Jordan Burroughs with five
Jordan Burroughs has won five World medals, four golds and a bronze, during his amazing career. Burroughs. Closely behind Burroughs with four medals is Lee Kemp (with three golds and a bronze) and Melvin Douglas (with a gold, a silver and two bronzes). Greg Gibson is next with three. Six athletes have won a pair of World medals (Bobby Douglas, Chris Campbell, Kenny Monday, Kevin Jackson, Joe Williams and James Green)
Freestyle World medals (by year)
1966 - Bobby Douglas (silver, 138.5)
1970 - Bobby Douglas (bronze, 149.5)
1973 - Lloyd Keaser (gold, 149.5)
1978 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163
1979 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163)
1981 - Chris Campbell (gold, 180.5), Greg Gibson (silver, 220), Lee Kemp (bronze, 163)
1982 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163), Greg Gibson (bronze, 220)
1983 - Greg Gibson (silver, 220)
1989 - Kenny Monday (gold, 163), Melvin Douglas (silver, 180.5)
1990 - Chris Campbell (silver, 198)
1991 - Kevin Jackson (gold, 180.5), Kenny Monday (silver, 163)
1993 - Melvin Douglas (198, gold)
1994 - Melvin Douglas (198, bronze)
1995 - Kevin Jackson (180.5, gold), Melvin Douglas (198, bronze)
2001 –Joe Williams (167.5, bronze),
2003 – Kerry McCoy (264.5, silver)
2005 – Joe Williams (163, bronze)
2007 – Daniel Cormier (211.5, bronze)
2011 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold)
2013 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold)
2014 – Jordan Burroughs (163, bronze)
2015 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold), James Green (154, bronze)
2017 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold), James Green (154, silver), J’den Cox (189, bronze)
Most Tbilisi gold medals – Three tied with one – Kenny Monday, Melvin Douglas, Chris Campbell
Tbilisi Tournament champions
1988 - Kenny Monday (163)
1989 - Melvin Douglas (180.5)
1991 - Chris Campbell (198)
Most Yarygin Grand Prix gold medals – Three tied with one, Chris Campbell, Joe Williams, Daniel Cormier
Yarygin Grand Prix gold medals
1991 – Chris Campbell (198
2005 – Joe Williams (163), Daniel Cormier (211.5)
Most Greco-Roman Olympic medals – Two tied with one – Greg Gibson and Rodney Smith
Greco-Roman Olympic medals
1984 - Greg Gibson (silver, 220)
1992 - Rodney Smith (bronze, 149.5)
Most Greco-Roman World gold medals – Dremiel Byers with one
Greco-Roman World gold medals
2002 - Dremiel Byers (286)
Most Greco-Roman World medals – Dremiel Byers with three
Heavyweight star Dremiel Byers won three career World medals, one of each flavor, with a gold, a silver and a bronze to his credit. The only other to win more than one was Justin Lester, with a pair of bronze medals.
Greco-Roman World medals
1989 - Michial Foy (silver, 198)
1991 - Shawn Sheldon (silver, 114.5)
2002 – Dremiel Byers (gold, 286)
2006 – Justin Lester (bronze, 145.5)
2007 – Justin Lester (bronze 145.5), Dremiel Byers (bronze, 264.5)
2009 – Dremiel Byers (silver, 264.5)
Most Padubbny Tournament titles – Shawn Sheldon with one
Padubbny Tournament champions
1989 - Shawn Sheldon (114.5)
Most Women’s Olympic medals – Randi Miller with one
Women’s Olympic medals
2008 – Randi Miller (bronze, 138)
Most Women’s World gold medals – Iris Smith with one
Women’s World gold medals
2005 – Iris Smith (158)
Most Women’s World medals – Toccara Montgomery and Tina George with two
Two African American women have won a pair of World medals, Toccara Montgomery with a pair of silver medals and Tina George with two bronze medals. Both athletes hailed from the Cleveland, Ohio community, and were coached coming up by the same coach, Kip Flanik.
Women’s World medals (by year)
1989 – Leia Kawaii (silver, 154
2001 –Toccara Montgomery (silver 149)
2002 – Tina George (silver, 121),
2003 –Tina George (silver, 121), Toccara Montgomery (silver, 158)
2005 – Iris Smith (gold, 158)
2015 – Leigh Jaynes-Provisor (bronze, 130)
Most Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix women’s gold medals – Tamyra Stock with two
Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix women’s gold medals
2004 – Iris Smith
2010 – Kelsey Campbell
2017 – Tamyra Stock (152)
2018 – Tamyra Stock (149)
As part of Black History Month, USA Wrestling has featured different historical facts about great African-American wrestlers and their legacy in the sport.
In past years, we have highlighted athletes who were trailblazers, the first African-Americans to reach an important achievement and blaze the trails for others. This year, the focus will be on the great African-American wrestlers who have won the most major international medals for Team USA.
Clearly, one of the most successful African-American wrestling stars, based upon winning the most international medals, is current Team USA star Jordan Burroughs. He has won the most World gold medals among great African Americans with four, the most World medals with five and the most Olympic gold medals with one (tied with Kenny Monday and Kevin Jackson).
On the Greco-Roman scene, heavyweight Dremiel Byers stands out, holding the most World medals among African Americans with three, and the most World gold medals with one. Two African-Americans have won Greco-Roman World medals, Greg Gibson, a silver in 1984 and Rodney Smith, a bronze in 1992.
In women’s wrestling, Randi Miller is the only African American Olympic medalist, with a bronze medal in 2008 and Iris Smith is the only World champion, with a title in 2005. Two African Americans have won a pair of World medals, Toccara Montgomery and Tina George.
We are proud to celebrate the achievements and impact of African American wrestlers, and appreciate the opportunity every February to share information on these amazing athletes and leaders.
Most Freestyle Olympic gold medals – Three tied with one – Kenny Monday, Kevin Jackson, Jordan Burroughs
Freestyle Olympic golds (by year)
1988 - Kenny Monday (163)
1992 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
2012 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
Most Freestyle Olympic medals – Kenny Monday with two
In total, nine African American wrestlers have won an Olympic freestyle medal. Kenny Monday, who won gold in 1988 and silver in 1992, is the only with more than one.
Freestyle Olympic medals (by year)
1976 - Lloyd Keaser (silver, 149.5)
1988 - Kenny Monday (gold, 163), Nate Carr (bronze, 149.5)
1992 - Kevin Jackson (gold, 180.5) Kenny Monday (silver, 163), Chris Campbell (bronze, 198)
1996 - Townsend Saunders (silver, 149.5)
2004 – Jamill Kelly (silver, 145.5)
2012 – Jordan Burroughs (gold, 163)
2016 – J’den Cox (bronze, 189)
Most Freestyle World gold medals – Jordan Burroughs with four
There are three African American wrestlers who have won more than one World gold medal. Jordan Burroughs has four World titles, Lee Kemp has three World titles, Kevin Jackson has two World titles.
Freestyle World gold medals
1973 - Lloyd Keaser (149.5)
1978 - Lee Kemp (163)
1979 - Lee Kemp (163)
1981 - Chris Campbell (180.5)
1982 - Lee Kemp (163)
1989 - Kenny Monday (163)
1991 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
1993 - Melvin Douglas (198)
1995 - Kevin Jackson (180.5)
2011 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2013 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2015 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
2017 – Jordan Burroughs (163)
Most Freestyle World medals – Jordan Burroughs with five
Jordan Burroughs has won five World medals, four golds and a bronze, during his amazing career. Burroughs. Closely behind Burroughs with four medals is Lee Kemp (with three golds and a bronze) and Melvin Douglas (with a gold, a silver and two bronzes). Greg Gibson is next with three. Six athletes have won a pair of World medals (Bobby Douglas, Chris Campbell, Kenny Monday, Kevin Jackson, Joe Williams and James Green)
Freestyle World medals (by year)
1966 - Bobby Douglas (silver, 138.5)
1970 - Bobby Douglas (bronze, 149.5)
1973 - Lloyd Keaser (gold, 149.5)
1978 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163
1979 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163)
1981 - Chris Campbell (gold, 180.5), Greg Gibson (silver, 220), Lee Kemp (bronze, 163)
1982 - Lee Kemp (gold, 163), Greg Gibson (bronze, 220)
1983 - Greg Gibson (silver, 220)
1989 - Kenny Monday (gold, 163), Melvin Douglas (silver, 180.5)
1990 - Chris Campbell (silver, 198)
1991 - Kevin Jackson (gold, 180.5), Kenny Monday (silver, 163)
1993 - Melvin Douglas (198, gold)
1994 - Melvin Douglas (198, bronze)
1995 - Kevin Jackson (180.5, gold), Melvin Douglas (198, bronze)
2001 –Joe Williams (167.5, bronze),
2003 – Kerry McCoy (264.5, silver)
2005 – Joe Williams (163, bronze)
2007 – Daniel Cormier (211.5, bronze)
2011 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold)
2013 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold)
2014 – Jordan Burroughs (163, bronze)
2015 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold), James Green (154, bronze)
2017 – Jordan Burroughs (163, gold), James Green (154, silver), J’den Cox (189, bronze)
Most Tbilisi gold medals – Three tied with one – Kenny Monday, Melvin Douglas, Chris Campbell
Tbilisi Tournament champions
1988 - Kenny Monday (163)
1989 - Melvin Douglas (180.5)
1991 - Chris Campbell (198)
Most Yarygin Grand Prix gold medals – Three tied with one, Chris Campbell, Joe Williams, Daniel Cormier
Yarygin Grand Prix gold medals
1991 – Chris Campbell (198
2005 – Joe Williams (163), Daniel Cormier (211.5)
Most Greco-Roman Olympic medals – Two tied with one – Greg Gibson and Rodney Smith
Greco-Roman Olympic medals
1984 - Greg Gibson (silver, 220)
1992 - Rodney Smith (bronze, 149.5)
Most Greco-Roman World gold medals – Dremiel Byers with one
Greco-Roman World gold medals
2002 - Dremiel Byers (286)
Most Greco-Roman World medals – Dremiel Byers with three
Heavyweight star Dremiel Byers won three career World medals, one of each flavor, with a gold, a silver and a bronze to his credit. The only other to win more than one was Justin Lester, with a pair of bronze medals.
Greco-Roman World medals
1989 - Michial Foy (silver, 198)
1991 - Shawn Sheldon (silver, 114.5)
2002 – Dremiel Byers (gold, 286)
2006 – Justin Lester (bronze, 145.5)
2007 – Justin Lester (bronze 145.5), Dremiel Byers (bronze, 264.5)
2009 – Dremiel Byers (silver, 264.5)
Most Padubbny Tournament titles – Shawn Sheldon with one
Padubbny Tournament champions
1989 - Shawn Sheldon (114.5)
Most Women’s Olympic medals – Randi Miller with one
Women’s Olympic medals
2008 – Randi Miller (bronze, 138)
Most Women’s World gold medals – Iris Smith with one
Women’s World gold medals
2005 – Iris Smith (158)
Most Women’s World medals – Toccara Montgomery and Tina George with two
Two African American women have won a pair of World medals, Toccara Montgomery with a pair of silver medals and Tina George with two bronze medals. Both athletes hailed from the Cleveland, Ohio community, and were coached coming up by the same coach, Kip Flanik.
Women’s World medals (by year)
1989 – Leia Kawaii (silver, 154
2001 –Toccara Montgomery (silver 149)
2002 – Tina George (silver, 121),
2003 –Tina George (silver, 121), Toccara Montgomery (silver, 158)
2005 – Iris Smith (gold, 158)
2015 – Leigh Jaynes-Provisor (bronze, 130)
Most Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix women’s gold medals – Tamyra Stock with two
Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix women’s gold medals
2004 – Iris Smith
2010 – Kelsey Campbell
2017 – Tamyra Stock (152)
2018 – Tamyra Stock (149)
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