Lee Kemp, a renowned figure in the world of wrestling, has made a lasting impact on the sport. As a keynote speaker, educator, author, and seminar presenter, he has shared his expertise with audiences across the United States and abroad.
Lee's wrestling career is marked by numerous accolades. He was an Olympian in 1980, although he did not compete due to the American-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Lee went on to coach the United States Freestyle Wrestling Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport.
A three-time World Champion, Lee achieved this feat at a remarkably young age, becoming the youngest American World champion at 21 years old in 1978. This impressive achievement was followed by his induction into the International Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008, a prestigious honor shared by only six Americans.
Lee's collegiate wrestling career was equally impressive. At the University of Wisconsin, he was a four-time Division I NCAA finalist and a three-time NCAA Champion. His unbeaten streak of 101 consecutive matches is the second-longest in Division I collegiate history.
Despite being denied a chance to become the first four-time NCAA Champion in US history due to a split referee's decision, Lee went on to defeat the legendary Dan Gable in his last competitive match at the Northern Open in November 1975.
Lee's entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in his M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a frequent commentator for ESPN, providing analysis for major wrestling events.
Lee Kemp's life story is set to be immortalized in a film documentary, "Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story," scheduled for completion in Fall 2019.
Today, Lee resides in Sacramento, CA, with his three adult children.
