Hall of Fame Distinguished Member, 1980 Olympian Greg Wojciechowski, 74, passes away

STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that Greg Wojciechowski, a Distinguished Member inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025, passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 74. He is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum’s George Tragos and Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and he received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013.

"Greg Wojciechowski was a driving force in establishing a world-class wrestling culture in the greater Toledo area during the 1960s and 1970s. His passion and dedication to the sport helped spark the creation of the Wrestling World Cup, which debuted in Toledo in 1973 and was hosted by the city an incredible 17 times over the next 19 years," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

“During his induction as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this past June, “Wojo” delivered a heartfelt and moving speech. In a true reflection of his character, he took the time to personally recognize individuals in attendance who had made a meaningful impact on his life. It was a powerful reminder of the deep gratitude and humility that defined him—and a testament to the way he always gave back to the community that shaped him,” he added. “On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and our staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Greg’s family, friends, and the many lives he influenced. His legacy will forever live on in the sport he loved and the people he inspired.”

Wojciechowski was an NCAA Division I champion and three-time NCAA finalist, competing when freshmen were not eligible, at heavyweight for the University of Toledo.

By the age of 21 he had won an NCAA title, a freestyle national title and a Greco-Roman national title.

Standing 6-foot tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds, Wojciechowski regularly gave up height and weight to his opponents, including 1972 NCAA champion and Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Chris Taylor, who was 6-foot-5 and weighed over 400 pounds throughout much of his wrestling career.

Wojciechowski had a career college record of 55-2 with his only losses coming in the NCAA finals to Taylor and Oregon State’s Jess Lewis in 1970. A three-time Mid-American Conference champion, he wrestled at Toledo for Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Dick Wilson and was also coached by Distinguished Member Joe Scalzo and Meritorious Official honoree Dick Torio.

Wojciechowski was the first alternate for the United States Greco Roman team in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and the first alternate for both Greco-Roman and freestyle in the 1972 Munich Olympics and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In the final Olympic tryouts in 1976, he was beaten by Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Jimmy Jackson, who was 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds, in freestyle and by Pete Lee, who was 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, in Greco-Roman. In the 1980 Olympic tryout tournament, Wojciechowski beat Jackson in freestyle and Lee in Greco-Roman to become the last American to win both styles. The 29-year-old defeated 20-year-old Bruce Baumgartner in the final Olympic tryouts. Baumgartner, a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, would go on to win 13 Olympic and World medals during his career.

Wojciechowski won the 1980 Olympic Trials in freestyle and Greco-Roman, the last American to win in both styles, but chose not to compete in wrestle-offs for Greco-Roman team. Wojciechowski was unable to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics because of the United States boycott.

He was a 13-time AAU champion, winning eight freestyle titles and five Greco-Roman titles. Wojciechowski finished fourth in freestyle at the World Championships in 1970 and fifth in freestyle at the World Championships in 1978. He was a gold medalist in Greco-Roman and a silver medalist in freestyle at the Pre-Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada in 1975. Wojciechowski was a silver medalist in freestyle at the World Cup in 1974 and a bronze medalist at the World Cup in 1976.

He was a two-time Ohio state champion for Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio. Wojciechowski was the first Junior World Team Trials freestyle champion in 1967.

He coached high school wrestling for 15 years and coached youth wrestling in Toledo for many years. Wojciechowski competed in professional wrestling as "The Great Wojo" for over 10 years. He is a member of the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame, and the University of Toledo Varsity T Hall of Fame.

He has a master's degree in guidance and counseling and worked almost 30 years as a high school teacher and counselor.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum

America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.