Melvin Douglas (wrestler)

Melvin L. Douglas III (born August 21, 1963)[1] of Topeka, Kansas is an American wrestler who was the 1993 World Champion, and made six World championship teams for the United States, including appearances at two Olympic games, and was a two-time NCAA Division I Champion for the University of Oklahoma. In 2013, Douglas was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[2]

Melvin Douglas
Personal information
Full nameMelvin L. Douglas III
Born (1963-08-21) August 21, 1963 (age 60)
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1993 Toronto 90 kg
Silver medal – second place 1989 Martigny 82 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Istanbul 90 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Atlanta 90 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1995 Mar del Plata 90 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Oklahoma Sooners
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 1985 Oklahoma City 177 lb
Gold medal – first place 1986 Iowa City 177 lb

High school edit

In 1979, 1980 and 1981, Douglas won the Kansas state championship at Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas. Douglas was also a USA Junior Freestyle national champion in 1981, after his senior season of high school.

College edit

While at The University of Oklahoma, Douglas was a four-time All-American and won the NCAA championship in 1985 and 1986 at 177 pounds.

International edit

Douglas represented the United States in the FILA World Championships six times, and won the 1993 world championship at 90 kg.[3] Douglas won silver in 1989 and third in 1994 and '95. Douglas competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where he placed seventh (with a 3–2 record) at 90 kg. He also qualified for the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia at 97 kg, finishing in 18th place.

References edit

  1. ^ "State Records".
  2. ^ Melvin Douglas III. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Melvin Douglas vs J.J. Mcgrew. YouTube.