Lee Kemp

Leroy (Lee) P. Kemp is arguably one of the more successful American amateur wrestlers in United States history, achieving unparalleled success at the high school, collegiate, and international levels. Kemp was a three-time Gold Medalist in the World Championships, a four-time Gold Medalist in the World Cup of Wresting, a two-time Gold Medalist in the Pan American Games, a seven-time national champion, and was named the United States Wrestling Federation “Man of the Year” in 1978. Kemp was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989.

Lee Kemp started wrestling in the 9th grade at Chardon High School, in Chardon, Ohio and by the end of his high school career had compiled two undefeated seasons while winning two Ohio State titles in his last two seasons. His first state title included wins over the defending state champion and the previous years’ state runner-up. Shortly after graduating from high school, Kemp was one of only four American Junior wrestlers that recorded a dual meet win against tough Junior Soviet team on their Ohio stop of an eight city United States tour, which results in 80 total matches being contested. Kemp also won the prestigious Junior National Freestyle Tournament in July of the same year defeating a future 3-time NCAA Champion in the finals.

While competing for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Kemp was a four-time NCAA Division I National finalist, winning the championship three times and placing 2nd, on a split referee’s decision, as a true freshman at 18 years old. Kemp recorded losses to only three wrestlers in his collegiate career, losing his last match in the NCAA finals as a freshman. Kemp posted 110 wins and no losses against collegiate competition in his last three year, which included the historical win over the legendary Dan Gable in November of Lee’s sophomore year, while he was still 18 years old.

Lee Kemp was America’s first three-time World Champions, winning his first title in 1978 at age 21, establishing his as the youngest American world champion ever, a distinction he held for 30 years. Kemp was a four-time World Cup Champion, seven-time United States Freestyle National Champion and was a heavy favorite for gold earning a berth on the 1980 United States Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team, but was unable to compete because of the U.S. boycott of the Olympics.

Kemp was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 1990. Kemp then became the fifth American to be inducted into the FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Kemp is currently the subject of a film documentary of his life, which is scheduled for competition in late 2012, and is the co-founder and President of FORZA Technologies, a nutritional supplement company. FORZA is the official corporate sponsor of USA Wrestling and its national teams.