James Johnson (wrestler, born 1957)

James Lee Johnson (April 24, 1957 – September 8, 2019) was an American Greco-Roman wrestler and coach. As an athlete, he was a multiple time Greco-Roman wrestling U.S. World Team member. Johnson later served as the head Greco-Roman coach for the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club and was a coach for the U.S. Greco-Roman 2012 Olympic team.

This article is about the wrestler James Johnson, born 1957. For the other James Johnson wrestler, born 1954, see James Johnson (wrestler, born 1954). For other people, see James Johnson.
James Johnson
Personal information
Full nameJames Lee Johnson
Born(1957-04-24)April 24, 1957
Halifax County, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 2019(2019-09-08) (aged 62)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Weight class100 kg (220 lbs)
Event(s)Greco-Roman
TeamUSA
Medal record
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing the  United States
World Cup
Bronze medal – third place1989 Fredrikstad100 kg
Bronze medal – third place1993 Heinola100 kg
Silver medal – second place1994 Kecskemét100 kg
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place1991 Havana100 kg
Pan American Championships
Silver medal – second place1984 Mexico City100 kg
Gold medal – first place1986 Colorado Springs100 kg
Bronze medal – third place1988 Mexico City100 kg
Bronze medal – third place1992 Albany100 kg
Silver medal – second place1994 Mexico City100 kg

Early life

Johnson was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. He wrestled at D. H. Conley High School in Greenville, North Carolina. In 1976, he became the first wrestling state champion D. H. Conley. He was also the first athlete from North Carolina to become an All-American at the Junior Greco-Roman Nationals.[1]

College career

He wrestled collegiately at the University of Kentucky from 1977 to 1980. Johnson had a career record of 65–21 and won the Southern Open twice. He was a three-time Southeastern Conference medalist, including second-place finishes at the 1977 and 1980 SEC Championships, and was a member of UK's 1977 SEC championship team. Johnson was elected to the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.[2]

Greco-Roman and coaching career

Johnson had remarkable post-collegiate success in Greco-Roman wrestling, where he won seven medals in the Pan American Championships, including a gold medal in 1986. He placed fifth in the 1993 World Championships and was winner of USA Wrestling’s first Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award in 1993. He also competed at the 1994 World Wrestling Championships.[3]

After competing, Johnson coached at dozens of national and international events, including the 2012 Olympics for Team USA, and was on the training staff for the 2016 Olympics. For more than 15 years, he had served as the Greco-Roman head coach for the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club.

In 2002, the James Johnson Award was founded and is presented annually to the top high school senior wrestler in eastern North Carolina. In 2007, he was inducted into the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.[4]

Death

Johnson died in Phoenix, Arizona on September 8, 2019, at the age of 62. He was buried at Homestead Memorial Gardens in Greenville, North Carolina.[5]

References
  1. Olympic Greco-Roman Coach and Past World Team Member James Johnson, 61, Has Passed Away. teamusa.org. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  2. James Johnson, Member of UK Athletics Hall of Fame, Has Died. ukatletics.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  3. Johnson, James (USA). Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  4. James Johnson, Member of UK Athletics Hall of Fame, Has Died. Made National and International Impact as Wrestling Coach, Athlete. lex18.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  5. Obituary | Mr. James Lee Johnson. docbrownfuneralhome.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
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