1986 U.S. World Team member Darrell Gholar passed away at age 63

Darrell Gholar of Chicago, Illinois, passed away from health complications at the age of 63 on December 16, 2025. Gholar had a long, successful career in the sport of wrestling, as well as a post-wrestling career in mixed martial arts.

Gholar was a 1986 Senior World Team member and team captain in Greco-Roman, finishing in sixth place at 82 kg for Team USA in Budapest, Hungary. Additionally, Gholar was a silver medalist at the 1988 Pan American Championships, a member of the 1986 U.S. World Cup Team, and a three-time Greco-Roman U.S. national champion on the Senior level.

Collegiately, Gholar attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a freshman All-American and served as team captain for two years. He also served as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota and Drake University before transitioning to professional fighting.  

Gholar held many interests outside the sport of wrestling, including writing, poetry, and film. He navigated a successful career in the film industry and was, at one time, employed by Walt Disney Pictures’ Touchstone Division. He was also named one of the world’s top 200 living poets in 2003.

In 2013, Gholar suffered a stroke, which led to complete paralysis on the right side of his body. He embodied the wrestling spirit and persevered through these health challenges. In 2023, Golar was presented the Medal of Courage by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Illinois Chapter.

Services for Gholar were held on January 3 at St. John Baptist Temple in Chicago. Those interested can send flowers to the Gholar family, or share a memory of Gholar here.

• Obituary for Darrell Eugene Gholar
• MN/USA Wrestling Remembers Darrell Gholar
• National Wrestling Hall of Fame biography for Darrell Gholar