2026 NWHOF Distinguished Member: Tervel Dlagnev

Tervel Dlagnev is one of the most accomplished heavyweight freestyle wrestlers in United States history, achieving success at every level through perseverance, dedication, and talent.

Born in Bulgaria, Dlagnev moved to the United States with his family at age four. He did not begin wrestling until his sophomore year at Arlington High School in Texas, originally taking up the sport to lose weight. After placing fourth and third at the Texas state tournament, he continued his career at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

After placing sixth at the NCAA Division II Championships as a freshman and finishing as runner-up as a sophomore, Dlagnev won back-to-back national titles in 2007 and 2008. As a senior, he went 49-0 without surrendering an offensive point and helped Nebraska-Kearney win its first NCAA Division II team championship. He was named the inaugural NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year and graduated with school records for career and single-season victories while earning four Academic All-America honors.

Internationally, Dlagnev earned an Olympic bronze medal from the 2012 London Games after originally placing fifth before the medal was awarded in 2019 following a doping disqualification. He also competed in the 2016 Olympics, finishing fifth again.

At the World Championships, Dlagnev won bronze medals in 2009 and 2014 and placed fifth in 2011 and 2013. He also won the 2011 Pan American Games, captured a University World title in 2008, and earned USA Wrestling’s John Smith Award as Freestyle Wrestler of the Year in 2014.

Dlagnev has continued to serve the sport as a coach and mentor, working with the Ohio Regional Training Center, coaching at Ohio State University, and joining the University of Nebraska staff in 2023.

He is a member of both the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Nebraska-Kearney Athletics Hall of Fame.

For his Olympic and World success, collegiate dominance, and dedication to wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame proudly welcomes Tervel Dlagnev as a Distinguished Member.