#ThrowbackThursday: See Kevin Jackson beat Iran’s Rasoul Khadem in 1992 Olympic Games pool finals

In recognition of Kevin Jackson’s induction into the LSU Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend, we spotlight one of his big-time freestyle victories.


KJ faced Iran’s talented Rasoul Khadem in the pool finals of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Jackson needed to win this bout to advance to the gold-medal finals. At this time in their career, Jackson was a 1991 World champion, while Khadem had won a 1991 Espoir (now Junior) World title and two Asian Senior titles.


Jackson’s close win over Khadem moved him on to the Olympic finals, where he beat longtime rival Elmadi Jabrailov of the Unified Team (previously Soviet Union) for the 1992 Olympic gold medal.


Khadem went on to win the 1996 Olympic gold medal and two World titles.


Jackson ended his career with his 1992 Olympic gold and two Senior World gold medals. He is currently USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Developmental Coach. He served as National Freestyle Coach and National Freestyle Resident Coach for USA Wrestling at different phases of his coaching career.


At LSU, Jackson was a three-time All-American wrestling under head coach Larry Sciacchetano, finishing his career as a senior as NCAA runner-up at Iowa State.