Chris Taylor was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 freestyle wrestler

Freestyle wrestling

Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...

 who competed at 1972 Munich Olympics

1972 Summer Olympics

The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....

. At 412 pounds (187 kg) he was the heaviest Olympian ever until the appearance of judoka Ricardo Blas, Jr. in 2008. (This was well before weight limits were imposed on the highest level of amateur wrestling.)

Amateur wrestling

The 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) Taylor, wrestled for Dowagiac High School in Dowagiac, Michigan

Dowagiac, Michigan

Dowagiac is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area....

, Muskegon Community College

Muskegon Community College

Muskegon Community College is a community college in Muskegon, Michigan. Providing service to the lakeshore region of West Michigan, MCC is located near the shores of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan...

 in Muskegon, Michigan, and Iowa State University

Iowa State Cyclones

The Iowa State Cyclones are the athletic teams of Iowa State University. The university is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 16 varsity teams in 12 sports.*Men's sports...

 (winning the NCAA heavyweight championship in 1972 by defeating Greg Wojciechowski

Greg Wojciechowski

Greg Wojciechowski is a former American amateur wrestler and professional wrestler, best known by his ring name The Great Wojo, who competed primarily for the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association during the 1980s, most notably being featured in the The $10,000 Challenge in which he would...

), and won the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics, losing only to Alexander Medved

Alexander Medved

Alexander Vasiliyevich Medved is a famous Soviet/Russian Belarussian wrestler. He is considered by most to be the best freestyle wrestler of all time. He was the first person ever to win three gold medals in freestyle wrestling. FILA recognizes Medved as The Greatest Wrestler of the 20th Century...

. During the games, he was suplayed by Wilfried Dietrich

Wilfried Dietrich

Wilfried Dietrich was a German wrestler, Olympic Champion in freestyle wrestling, Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, winner of a total of five Olympic medals, World Champion in freestyle wrestling, and European Champion.He was born in Schifferstadt and died in Durbanville, South...

 from West Germany

West Germany

West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

 during their match, which has been incorrectly said to have broken Dietrich's neck. He reportedly reached over 500 pounds in weight.

Professional wrestling

Taylor once wrestled professionally in the American Wrestling Association

American Wrestling Association

The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...

 where he faced Ric Flair

Ric Flair

Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....

. At the time, nothing was thought of Flair, and Taylor was thought to be the future star. He was Trained by Verne Gagne

Verne Gagne

Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne , is a retired American professional wrestler, football player, and professional wrestling trainer and promoter. He was the former owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association , based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the predominant promotion throughout...

 and Billy Robinson

Billy Robinson

Billy Robinson is a British professional wrestler and catch wrestling instructor. Robinson was well known in Japan where he has trained mixed martial arts fighters in catch wrestling...

. His debut was in 1974 vs Rene Goulet

Robert Bedard

Robert Bédard is a retired professional wrestler better known as the #1 Frenchman Rene Goulet. He began his career in Quebec City, QC in 1957 with his first match being against Gerard Dugas....

Finishing Move was the Bearhug.

Personal life

Taylor died at home in Story City, Iowa

Story City, Iowa

Story City is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. Story City is located within the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area which envelops all of Story County and which, when held in conjunction with the Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, complements the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa...

at the age of 29, two years after health problems caused him to retire from professional wrestling.

External links