The Waterloo wrestler who won Olympic gold without surrendering a point — then built a college dynasty at Iowa.
Dan Gable was born in 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa, and became the most dominant amateur wrestler the country had seen — famously winning the 1972 Olympic gold medal without giving up a single point.
As head coach of the University of Iowa, he built one of the greatest dynasties in college sports, winning fifteen NCAA team titles and turning Iowa into the heart of American wrestling.
Gable became a symbol of Iowa toughness and work ethic, and his name is synonymous with the sport nationwide. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.
He is Iowa's most iconic sports figure.
The Waterloo wrestler who won Olympic gold without surrendering a point — then built a college dynasty at Iowa.
Dan Gable was from Waterloo, Iowa.
1948.
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