Valentin Yordanov – 1996 Olympic gold medalist in up to 52 kg weight class, seven times World Champion (1983, '85, '87, '89, '93, '94, and '95), seven times European Champion (1982, '83, '85, '86, '87, '88, and '89), and is the only wrestler to hold 10 World Championship medals (7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze).
Georg Lurich – legitimate professional wrestling champion, record-setting strongman, namesake of a a memorial competition held since 1956 (et), trainer of Georg Hackenschmidt and Aleksander Aberg
Alexander Karelin – FILA Greatest Wrestler of 20th Century (Greco-Roman), 1988, 1992, 1996 Olympic gold medalist, 2000 Olympic silver medalist, 9 X World Champion. He lost 1 match in 13 years to Rulon Gardner.
Bruce Baumgartner – 1984, 1992 Olympic gold medalist, 1988 Olympic silver medalist, 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, most Olympic medals of all American wrestlers
John Smith – 1988, 1992 Olympic gold medalist, 4X World Champion
Pat Smith – younger brother of John; first wrestler to win four NCAA Division I titles.
Dan Gable – 1972 Olympic gold medalist, 1971 World Champion, first wrestler in history to not have one point scored on him in the Olympics