I wrestled from 7th grade to sophomore in college. Was out of sport for about 20 years. Started again, coaching, about 7 years ago. Discovered John Smith RUclips about 4 months ago. I find the man, coach and wrestler to be amazing. I had similar style but so far below ability as not able to compare in any sense but seeing and listening to him has given new passion to my passion. Thank you John Smith.
MAN, it so weird for me to see this guy being middle-aged. He was such a BEAST! He was one of the few wrestlers to "make it big" in this sport. He seems so humble! He was a great inspiration to me and a WHOLE lot of other wrestlers in the 80s!😀
“The challenge is always repeating” John Smith & Kobe Bryant. RIP MAMBA!! Give Mr. Smith his flowers when he’s alive. True living legend!! Much respect ✊🏼
Joe Melchoire taught me the John Smith single. From right foot and left. John wrestled Joe a few times. I swear by this single. Learn it and the rhythm breaks that make it work
I had the honor of being at a training seminar at North Idaho College he and a couple other elite wrestlers were doing back in 91, was almost awestruck
One of the best to ever do it but also one of the most entertaining to watch as he always kept pouring it on even when up by 5-6+ points in the last period.
Wayne Wells was the second of 2 Olympians from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. The other Wayne Baughman who competed in 1964, 1968, and 1972. These two might have been the only two from the same high school during and before that time period. Anyone know of anyone else?
I attended a wrestling camp at Clemson lead by him in '91. He was a strange dude but incredible at wrestling. I demo'd a move and took him down. He did not like that at all. I haven't thought of that camp for years. Cool for him to share with us his thoughts and lifestyle.
I wrestled in high school, I went 6-0 my freshman year placed 2nd in districts placed 3rd in regional Dan Gable was my hero I just discovered John Smith awesome
Are we to assume these stats were from different years? 2nd in districts means your record was at least 2-1that year, assuming an 8 man bracket. 3rd at regionals meant 3 matches at districts then 4 at regionals, 3 plus the wrestle back on consolation side for 3rd is 3-1. Just confusing wording. Maybe a comma or "then", "and" or "also". "Regionals" means you didn't wrestle in Iowa, sectionals, districts, then state with top 2 moving on and 32 man bracket at state double elimination.
If anyone sees this comment, I know almost everybody is gonna say I’m crazy or I don’t know what I’m talking about, but I hear a lot of people saying this guy might be the best of all time, but I still can’t see him beating Dan Gable, I think he would give Gable fits, but I don’t think he would beat him
Cael was a beast but hes definitely not one of the two best american wrestlers ever. Smith is undoubtably USA's GOAT. I agree Cael was the best folkstyle (NCAA) wrestler ever but look up Bruce Baummgartner, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, Schultz brothers, Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable.....the list goes on.
It’s a shame he’s begging for cheap penalty points now. I guess he’s looking out for his guys but it’s cheap wrestle don’t leave the match in the refs hands.
I wrestled from 7th grade to sophomore in college. Was out of sport for about 20 years. Started again, coaching, about 7 years ago. Discovered John Smith RUclips about 4 months ago. I find the man, coach and wrestler to be amazing. I had similar style but so far below ability as not able to compare in any sense but seeing and listening to him has given new passion to my passion. Thank you John Smith.
He teaches things to you that you couldn't find anywhere else especially bottom techniques, I really appreciate him, he's a true legend
MAN, it so weird for me to see this guy being middle-aged. He was such a BEAST! He was one of the few wrestlers to "make it big" in this sport. He seems so humble! He was a great inspiration to me and a WHOLE lot of other wrestlers in the 80s!😀
I love hearing experiences from the veterans in life, especially if it has to deal with sports and athletics.
John Smith is such an ambassador for our sport. Makes me proud to be a wrestler.
“The challenge is always repeating” John Smith & Kobe Bryant.
RIP MAMBA!! Give Mr. Smith his flowers when he’s alive. True living legend!! Much respect ✊🏼
I could listen to him all day, great competitor and a better coach!
10:47 "This is the Way"
John Smith was my hero growing up in Oklahoma, and the low single was my move.
Very humble. Great interview. Like seeing him coach, he is son into wrestling that he forgets he is in the chair and not on the mat.
Absolutely legend, I lived with his memories. My adol.
Joe Melchoire taught me the John Smith single. From right foot and left. John wrestled Joe a few times. I swear by this single. Learn it and the rhythm breaks that make it work
I had the honor of being at a training seminar at North Idaho College he and a couple other elite wrestlers were doing back in 91, was almost awestruck
God Bless you John. You are a true champion.
Fast as a mongoose.
Balance like a flamingo.
He was Lean but he beat the muscle head.
Beyond his phenomenal wrestling talent and drive, Smith is humble and doesn't take anything for granted.
I needed to hear this... John Smith the best 👍
Champion inside & out 🤼🥇
John Smith fantastic wrestlers 💪 Respect✊
This is a great man with even greater values.
One of the best to ever do it but also one of the most entertaining to watch as he always kept pouring it on even when up by 5-6+ points in the last period.
Wayne Wells was the second of 2 Olympians from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. The other Wayne Baughman who competed in 1964, 1968, and 1972. These two might have been the only two from the same high school during and before that time period. Anyone know of anyone else?
I attended a wrestling camp at Clemson lead by him in '91. He was a strange dude but incredible at wrestling. I demo'd a move and took him down. He did not like that at all. I haven't thought of that camp for years. Cool for him to share with us his thoughts and lifestyle.
Course you didn't mention that tackled him from behind while he was training someone else 🤣
Its not often you have the best athlete and coach in the same sport....thank Cael Sanderson for being so amazing.
The 🐐
2x olimpic champion
John Smith was my inspiration in high school, the low single became my best move!
It is the best move! Teach that and how to shoot when the opponent's lead foot is stuck and it is unstoppable
In wrestling it happens again and again....Gable, Smith, and Cael...sterling competitors. All formed dominant programs as head coaches.
God bless John Smith!!!
one of the greatest to ever step on the mat.
sanitary103 The Greatest*
I wrestled in high school, I went 6-0 my freshman year placed 2nd in districts placed 3rd in regional Dan Gable was my hero I just discovered John Smith awesome
Great question Mark, that is odd isn't it?
good point, and what state? Shouldve went to states too, right?
Are we to assume these stats were from different years? 2nd in districts means your record was at least 2-1that year, assuming an 8 man bracket. 3rd at regionals meant 3 matches at districts then 4 at regionals, 3 plus the wrestle back on consolation side for 3rd is 3-1. Just confusing wording. Maybe a comma or "then", "and" or "also". "Regionals" means you didn't wrestle in Iowa, sectionals, districts, then state with top 2 moving on and 32 man bracket at state double elimination.
You could definitely argue his the best wrestler, not sure if I’d say he’s the best coach
Awesome Man!
Has this interviewer ever heard of Dan Gable?
Focus, focus, focus.......!!
Legend
If anyone sees this comment, I know almost everybody is gonna say I’m crazy or I don’t know what I’m talking about, but I hear a lot of people saying this guy might be the best of all time, but I still can’t see him beating Dan Gable, I think he would give Gable fits, but I don’t think he would beat him
Couldn't beat his sisters in his living room. Lol... Awesome!
Great interview
Man, why did he have to cut him off at 7:51!!! It was about to bet very interesting. I hate when interviewers do that! Let the man vent.
U R the best ever ! Gracias
excellent
Cael Sanderson and John Smith are the greatest wrestlers in USA's history. John is arguably more accomplished.
Cael was a beast but hes definitely not one of the two best american wrestlers ever. Smith is undoubtably USA's GOAT. I agree Cael was the best folkstyle (NCAA) wrestler ever but look up Bruce Baummgartner, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, Schultz brothers, Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable.....the list goes on.
Tropical Terrarium dan gable....
Agreed, but how can you forget Dan Gable?
Who could possibly down vote this?
An Iowan.
Russians
A golfer, who thinks his sport is the toughest and thinks he is on the same athletic level.
GOAT
My coach wrestled John Smith. He lost to him in the All-American final match
The John Smith wrestling shoes were the best
John smit gerçek bir güreş ustası
🐐
Definitely Cael Sanders the Jordan of wrestling
Stop it
Everyone......check out "Wrestling changed my life " podcast. Awesome interviews.
The guy who does that is awesome
This guy rassled before the ropes and turnbuckles and costumes and all that shit. Old school
Doppping smite
Dan Gable greatest wrestler, greatest coach
Still, John didn't talk much about adapting as a coach.
It’s a shame he’s begging for cheap penalty points now. I guess he’s looking out for his guys but it’s cheap wrestle don’t leave the match in the refs hands.
how dare he want class from college wrestlers
Wonder what the Russians thought about this dude. ?
Fear
not the best Coach..people...do your homework!
How many ncaa titles and gold medals you got dipshit?
He's better than Terry Brands