Aleksandr Medved
Three Olympic golds in three different weight classes
- Born
- September 16, 1937, Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
- Died
- September 2, 2024 (aged 86)
- Nationality
- Soviet Union
Belarus - Height
- 190 cm (6′3″)
- Style
- Attacking heavyweight technician
- Weight
- 97 kg, +97 kg, +100 kg
- Active
- 1961–1972
The medals
3 Olympic golds, 7 world titles
The story
leksandr Medved won Olympic gold in three different weight classes, from light-heavyweight in Tokyo in 1964 to super-heavyweight in Munich in 1972, and added seven world titles between 1962 and 1971. Born in Bila Tserkva and based in Minsk, he wrestled for the Soviet Union and was often the lighter man in the unlimited class, topping out around 110 kg against much bigger opponents. His rivalry with Bulgaria's Osman Duraliev produced eight major finals, and Medved won all of them, including a 1971 world final he rescued in the last minute. After retiring he coached, lectured and helped run Belarusian sport. He was among the first ten inductees into the FILA Hall of Fame and died in Minsk in 2024.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Olympic champion (1964, 1968, 1972)
- World champion ×7 (1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971)
- European champion ×3 (1966, 1968, 1972)
- FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003, among the first 10 inductees)
- Best Belarusian athlete of the 20th century (2001)
- Order of Lenin (1964)
Defining matches
- 1962WINvs Gholamreza Takhti (World final, Toledo)
- 1964WINTokyo Olympics (light-heavyweight gold)
- 1971WINvs Osman Duraliev (World final, Sofia; won on lower bodyweight after trailing 3-4 late)
- 19678-0 vs Osman Duraliev in major finals–1972
- 1972WINMunich Olympics (super-heavyweight gold, third straight Olympic title)
Steal Medved's favorite takedown: bring a heavy grip down over the top of the head to load your partner's weight forward, then drop and grab the shin to knock them down. Drill it against bigger partners.
