Bob Anderson (wrestler)

Bob Anderson
Anderson pictured center
Medal record Men's Greco-Roman wrestling Representing the  United States Pan American Games 1971 Cali 82 kg Men's Sambo Representing the  United States Pan American Championships 1977 Mexico City 90 kg 1979 San Diego 100 kg

Bob Anderson (born 1943) is an American former wrestler and coach. Anderson was born in Oakland, California and raised in Redondo Beach, California.[1][2]

Early life

Anderson attended South High School in Torrance, California, where he placed 3rd his junior year, and finished as a California state champion his senior year.

College

In college, Anderson first attended El Camino College, where he won CCCAA states as a sophomore and had a record-breaking 1 loss the whole season. He ended up transferring to Adams State College, where became a 2-time NAIA All-American, and was Rocky Mountain Champion.[3] Anderson was also an NCAA Division I All-American, by placing sixth in the University division of the NCAA tournament.[4]

In 2015, Adams was inducted into the Adams State University Athletics Hall of Fame.[5]

Greco-Roman wrestling

In 1968, Anderson began his senior level wrestling career when he won the Western Regional Olympic trials and then the 1968 Olympic trials in Greco-Roman.[3] In 1971, placed 2nd at the Greco-Roman World Team trials. Anderson last competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1979 Pan American championships.

Coaching career

Shortly after his fall in the world championships, he became a coach. He coached his first competition in Mexico City leading his team to a team title. In 1978, Anderson traveled to Brazil, also leading two national teams to victory in the Sambo tournament. During this time, Anderson trained Rolls Gracie, whom he would teach techniques like the Americana Arm Bar.[6][7][3] In 1984 Anderson was an assistant coach for a 3rd-placing national wrestling team in the Olympics held in Los Angeles. He was also a 1996 US Olympic Team Greco-Roman wrestling coach.[3]

In 2003, he became the World Masters Wrestling Champion at 211 lbs.[3] Anderson has also trained wrestlers such as Rulon Gardner, Dan Henderson, Heath Sims, and Randy Couture.[4] Within the sport of wrestling, Anderson is a longtime champion, coach, and mentor. Every other year Anderson would host camps for wrestlers.

In 2009, he earned the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame California chapter.[8]

References

1. "Archives". Los Angeles Times.
2. "Anderson, Townsend to coach U.S. Grappling World Team".
3. "Bob Anderson - Some Wrestling History". Ironman Hall of Fame.
4. "Coaches". Southbay Wrestling Academy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
5. Bob Anderson (2015) - Hall of Fame. asugrizzles.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
6. BJJ Heroes. "Rolls Gracie". BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia.
7. Snowden, Jonathan; Shields, Kendall (November 2010). The MMA Encyclopedia. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554908448.
8. Bob Anderson. nwhof.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.