John Peterson (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
John Peterson (born 22 October 1948) is an American
wrestler
and Olympic champion in Freestyle wrestling
.
in Munich
where he received a silver medal in Freestyle wrestling
, the middleweight class. He won a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics
in Montreal
.
Peterson's brother, Ben Peterson, also competed in both the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, also winning gold (1972) and silver (1976) medals in Freestyle wrestling.
Peterson grew up in Cumberland, Wisconsin
, attending Cumberland High School before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout
in 1971
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
wrestler
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and Olympic champion in Freestyle wrestling
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...
.
Olympics
Peterson competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics1972 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....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
where he received a silver medal in Freestyle wrestling
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...
, the middleweight class. He won a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
Peterson's brother, Ben Peterson, also competed in both the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, also winning gold (1972) and silver (1976) medals in Freestyle wrestling.
Peterson grew up in Cumberland, Wisconsin
Cumberland, Wisconsin
Cumberland is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,280 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Cumberland.-Recreation:...
, attending Cumberland High School before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout
University of Wisconsin-Stout
The University of Wisconsin–Stout is a member campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The school was founded in 1891 in Menomonie, Wisconsin and enrolls more than 9,300 students...
in 1971