Dan Gable

Dan Gable is recognized as a leading figure in American amateur wrestling, known for a career marked by dominance on the mat. Gable went undefeated as a high school wrestler, won two NCAA championships, and lost only once during his college wrestling career. He compiled a record of 181-1, remaining undefeated in 64 high school matches and finishing 117-1 at Iowa State University. Gable was a two-time NCAA National Wrestling Champion, three-time All-American, and three-time Big Eight champion, setting NCAA records in winning and pin streaks, including a pin streak that still stands.

The only loss of Gable's collegiate career, which occurred in the NCAA finals during his senior year, motivated him to pursue and win an Olympic gold medal. After college, he secured titles at the Pan American Games, World Championships, and the Tbilisi Tournament in the Soviet Union. At both the World Championships and the Olympic Games, Gable won all his matches without conceding a point. He became the first American wrestler to win a World Championship and an Olympic title in consecutive years. His performance at the Munich Games, where he surrendered zero points in six matches, is regarded as one of the most dominant individual efforts in Olympic history.

Gable later became head coach of the University of Iowa wrestling program, leading the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA team titles and 21 consecutive Big Ten championships over 21 years. He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 National Champions, 106 Big Ten Champions, and 12 Olympians, including four gold, one silver, and three bronze medalists. Gable's teams captured nine consecutive NCAA Championships, equaling the longest run of national titles by any school in any sport at the time. His coaching achievements have drawn comparisons across the sports world.

Gable has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is the namesake of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. Gable has been named the Nation's Outstanding Wrestler by the Amateur Athletic Union and the United States Wrestling Federation, and recognized as one of the top coaches of the 20th century and Iowa's top sports figure of the past 100 years by ESPN. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, and is believed to be the first person from the sport of wrestling to receive this distinction.

Gable has authored several books, including the New York Times bestselling "A Wrestling Life" and "A Wrestling Life 2," and produced the motivational video "Competitor Supreme." Documentaries on Gable's life and accomplishments have aired on ESPN and HBO. In 2026, he was the subject of the indie film "Gable," which tells the true story of his life, athletic achievements, and overcoming family tragedy. He continues to promote wrestling and positive living through motivational speaking and serves as an advisor to the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Gable's story is recognized for its impact on wrestling, sports leadership, and American sports culture.