Top 10 Best Wrestlers of All Time

This list brings together the titans of the sport, from Greco-Roman to freestyle, featuring athletes who didn't just win matches. They dominated entire eras, rewrote record books, and redefined what excellence looks like on the mat.

We're not talking about flashy entrances or scripted drama. This is the gritty, technical, brutally demanding world of amateur wrestling. The kind where every ounce of strength, every second of stamina, and every decision under pressure matters. It's a sport that takes more than just raw physicality. You need an iron will, serious mental toughness, and the kind of grit that doesn't show up in highlight reels but wins world titles and Olympic golds.

You'll find wrestlers here who never lost a single collegiate match. Some went years without a single defeat on the international stage. Others pulled off comeback wins in the dying seconds, proving they had both the skill and the heart to finish strong. And then there are those who crushed the competition in multiple weight classes because sticking to just one wasn't enough of a challenge.

This list isn't just a rundown of stats. It's shaped by fans and serious followers of the sport who know what greatness really looks like.

Vote for the wrestlers you believe earned their legacy through dominance, precision, and relentless work ethic.
The Top Ten
Alexander Karelin Alexander Karelin was a Russian Greco-Roman wrestler who won three Olympic gold medals and one silver between 1988 and 2000. He remained undefeated for 13 years and went nearly a decade without giving up a single point. Karelin also secured nine World Championship titles during his career.

I love Dan Gable, best coach ever hands down, but around 7th best wrestler of all time. Cael Sanderson is around 8th or 9th best all time but the best college wrestler of all time. I love the USA! The sad part is, though, Alexander Karelin is the best wrestler of all time, hands down. He should have had four Olympic gold titles but was screwed by a bad decision by a referee. Before you dis me, I have watched the match he lost to the American, and I think he got screwed.

My Top 10 is:

1. Alexander Karelin
2. Buvaisar Saitiev
3. Saori Yoshida
4. Aleksandr Medved
5. Hamid Sourian
6. John Smith
7. Dan Gable
8. Cael Sanderson
9. Valentin Yordanov
10. Arsen Fadzaev

Now, some of this could be flipped, but Russia is just really good at wrestling.

Hamid Sourian Hamid Sourian is an Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler who won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He is a six-time World Champion in the 55 kg weight class. Sourian is regarded as one of the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers from Iran.

Are you guys kidding me? The guy has six world championships, two Asian championships, and is the reigning Olympic champion. And he is 5th on your list? He is over a bunch of guys who have one or maybe two gold medals in total on the world stage?

He won 7 gold medals (6 World Championships and 1 Olympic) from 8 World Championship competitions that he participated in, and he just lost 1 competition.

He is the best World Champion from Iran.

Hamid is the most technical wrestler in the Greco-Roman era. He had the brain of a nuclear physicist and the power of a heavyweight lifter. The phrase "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee" is just perfect to describe him.

Cael Sanderson Cael Sanderson is an American wrestler who completed his collegiate career at Iowa State with a perfect 159-0 record. He won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Sanderson later became a highly successful wrestling coach at Penn State University.

Sanderson brought wrestling to an entirely new level. Everyone on this list, I think, would concede that he's the best. Brock Lesnar isn't anywhere close to Sanderson, Gable, Smith, Kurt Angle, etc. He's not even in the top 20 best wrestlers of all time, much less number one.

Undefeated in his NCAA career in the US, probably the world's best wrestling country aside from Russia, and an Olympic gold medal. Maybe not number one but definitely top 2.

If he had chosen to go into MMA, he would have dominated. He attacked from so far out that trying to box or kick would be negated.

John Smith John Smith won two Olympic gold medals in freestyle wrestling in 1988 and 1992. He also captured four consecutive World Championship titles between 1987 and 1991. Smith later became the head coach of Oklahoma State University's wrestling program.

The best American freestyle wrestler to date and one of the top freestyle wrestlers in the world. His record speaks for itself. Cael Sanderson is the best collegiate wrestler of all time.

Just look at the hardware. Certainly not an American that can compete. Maybe #2 on this list at worst.

Take out the heavies and he's hands down the #1.

Amazing wrestler and person! His son will soon follow!

Valentin Yordanov Valentin Yordanov is a Bulgarian freestyle wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He secured seven World Championship titles between 1983 and 1995. Yordanov also earned multiple European Championship victories throughout his career.

Valentin Yordanov is a Bulgarian wrestler, and he is the best freestyle wrestler of the 20th century!

7-time World Champion, 7-time European Champion, and an Olympic Champion.

Only wrestler to win 10 medals at World Championships.

Also has an Olympic bronze medal.

Buvaisar Saitiev Buvaisar Saitiev is a Russian freestyle wrestler who won three Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2004, and 2008. He also earned six World Championship titles over his career. Saitiev is known for his technical skill and consistency on the international stage.

Most of the wrestlers mentioned are worthy all-time candidates, but for me, Buvaisar Saitiev is number 1. An athlete who physically is not the strongest, nor the fastest or quickest, not the most aggressive, and not even the best-conditioned. He won six world championships and competed in four Olympic Games, winning three gold medals. The one Olympic game he did not medal in, he was upset by the eventual gold medal winner Brandon Slay (American), and his brother Adam Saitiev won a gold, wrestling practically two weight classes up.

What is most impressive about Buvaisar is that he was a genius on the mat. Lacking the physical attributes of most world-class wrestlers, he was able to produce a career that is unrivaled in a very difficult and competitive weight class by being the smartest and most creative wrestler of all time.

All due respect to my wrestling brothers.

Peace.

Dan Gable Dan Gable won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Munich Olympics without surrendering a single point. He was a two-time NCAA champion and later coached the University of Iowa to 15 NCAA team titles. Gable also served as head coach for the U.S. Olympic wrestling team.

I feel this accomplishment is what no other wrestler comes close to. This is what makes him the GOAT! As the University of Iowa's all-time winningest coach from 1976 to 1997, Gable won 15 NCAA National Wrestling Team Titles while compiling a career record of 355-21-5. He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 National Champions, 106 Big Ten Champions, and 12 Olympians, including four gold, one silver, and three bronze medalists.

All "top" lists, even made with objectivity (if possible), still include personal opinion, varying "top" traits, age (watching video isn't the same, and there's more on younger guys), etc. You could argue for anyone on the list for many reasons. It still comes down to personal favorite. So, I went with mine. I went to his wrestling camp, and he's a big idol. Are there better? Maybe, possibly probably, but not to me.

Sergei Beloglazov Sergei Beloglazov is a Soviet freestyle wrestler who won Olympic gold medals in 1980 and 1988. He also secured six World Championship titles during his career. Beloglazov is widely recognized for his technical precision and dominance in the 57 kg category.

Sergei cannot be overlooked and has to be placed on the international scale in the top five. Not taking anything away from the 1984 Olympic champions, but he could have been a three-time Olympic champion. Look at his accomplishments. He is probably considered one of the most technical wrestlers.

He is a 6-time World Champion, 2-time Olympic Champion, and beat the '84 Olympic Champion. He is just as impressive as Karelin.

Best technical wrestler ever. He did not have the same accolades as Alexander but was in a tough weight class that he completely dominated for nearly a decade.

Arsen Fadzaev Arsen Fadzaev is a Soviet freestyle wrestler who won Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992. He also claimed six World Championship titles during his career. Fadzaev competed primarily in the 68 kg weight class and is regarded as one of the most successful Soviet wrestlers.

Only lost twice while winning 6 world titles and 2 Olympic titles. Won the 1992 Olympic final by a superiority score.

He did not lose a single battle in seven years. The best athlete of the USSR in 1991.

And won silver at the Worlds when he wrestled up a weight class.

Jordan Burroughs Jordan Burroughs won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2012 London Olympics. He is a multiple-time World Champion, with titles spanning from 2011 to 2022. Burroughs has also captured several U.S. national championships throughout his career.

Jordan Burroughs is still young, but he will be the best U.S. wrestler in history. Just watching him wrestle, you can see that his athletic ability trumps even the best technicians. When you watch some people wrestle, you think, Wow, that looks hard. But when you watch Burroughs wrestle, you think, Hey, I could probably do that. He makes it look easy. That's how I know he's the best.

Jordan Burroughs will, without a doubt, be the greatest of all time when it is all said and done. He simply makes things look far too easy.

The Newcomers

? Chael Sonnen Chael Sonnen was a standout collegiate wrestler who became a two-time Pac-10 champion. He later transitioned to mixed martial arts and competed in the UFC, where he challenged for the middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Sonnen was also known for his promotional skills and outspoken persona.
? Levan Tediashvili Levan Tediashvili is a Georgian freestyle wrestler who competed for the Soviet Union. He won two Olympic gold medals, in 1972 and 1976, as well as multiple World Championship titles. Tediashvili also appeared in films and held political office in Georgia.
The Contenders
Saori Yoshida Saori Yoshida is a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012. She also claimed 13 consecutive World Championship titles from 2002 to 2015. Yoshida finished her career with over 200 international wins and is among the most successful female wrestlers of all time.

You would have a hard time combining two men to beat her gold medals. She is the winningest and most dominant international wrestler of all time. With that being said, she is the best. I hope Helen Maroulis beats her in Rio!

13 World Golds

3 Olympic golds

Only 2 senior losses since 1998. A decade undefeated. These numbers are better than Karelin. She's the best ever. If you don't agree, you are sexist.

Gogi Koguashvili Gogi Koguashvili is a former Greco-Roman wrestler who represented the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, and Russia. He competed in five Olympic Games and won multiple World and European Championship medals. Koguashvili later became the head coach of the Russian Greco-Roman wrestling team.
Kurt Angle Kurt Angle won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He competed with a severe neck injury during the Olympic Games. Angle later transitioned to professional wrestling and became a world champion in WWE and TNA.

Kurt Angle, hands down, is the greatest. The fact that Bret Hart and Brock Lesnar are ahead of him on this list is a tragedy in itself.

Great wrestler, and I believe if he had been in the UFC, he would have been champion!

A gold medal is a gold medal. Need I say more?

Aleksandr Medved Aleksandr Medved is a Soviet freestyle wrestler who won three Olympic gold medals in 1964, 1968, and 1972. He also earned seven World Championship titles during his career. Medved is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight wrestlers in history.

How is Medved at #15? You guys are crazy if you think someone like Burroughs should be above him. Even Smith and Sanderson haven't come close to Medved's success in international wrestling. College wrestling is good, but the competition in college wrestling comes nowhere near international freestyle and Greco.

Medved should be at 2 or 3, alongside Saitiev.

In 1972, I saw Medved winning the gold medal. He was an outstanding wrestler. I met him in 1985 in Colorado Springs, where he was a referee. It was the Espoir World Championship. Very pleasant person. I am surprised to see him at number 10. He won three gold medals in the Olympics.

Brock Lesnar Brock Lesnar won the NCAA Division I wrestling championship in 2000 for the University of Minnesota. He transitioned to professional wrestling and became a WWE Champion multiple times. Lesnar also competed in mixed martial arts and won the UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2008.

Wow, so much hate. None of you could have beaten him on the mat during his collegiate years. The only thing embarrassing here is the number of keyboard warriors talking trash from their mommies' houses.

Brock Lesnar is simply the best wrestler of all time because he dominates the whole pro wrestling universe. He demolished WWE and now he's kicking asses in the UFC. Simply the best.

Bruce Baumgartner Bruce Baumgartner is an American freestyle wrestler who won Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1992. He also earned four Olympic medals in total and claimed nine World Championship medals. Baumgartner is one of the most decorated American wrestlers in history.

The most decorated super heavyweight wrestler in American history. Bruce achieved three golds at the Pan American Games, 17 American titles, and eight World Cup wins. He won an NCAA National Championship, 2 NCAA Runner-Up finishes, 2 AAU National Titles, and a Junior National title. All of this is on top of the three world titles and two Olympic gold medals he won.

Bruce Baumgartner won four Olympic medals and nine world championship medals in his career. That is more than any super heavyweight freestyle wrestler. In his prime, I would pick him to beat any freestyle wrestler in history. Kurt Angle beat a 300 lb roided Brock Lesnar in a freestyle wrestling match, and Angle wasn't even in his prime. Angle also had neck problems and still beat Brock.

Bruce is a super heavyweight. Angle is a heavyweight. Bruce is more accomplished than Angle by miles. So, imagine what a prime Bruce would do to Brock in a wrestling match. I don't even know why Lesnar is number 1. He has never even been to the Olympics, let alone won it. Bruce has won the Olympics twice in the heaviest weight category. Bruce has accomplished more than any other wrestler in history, which is why he should be number 1.

Mark Schultz Mark Schultz won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He also captured World Championship titles in 1985 and 1987. Schultz wrestled alongside his brother Dave and later had his life portrayed in the film "Foxcatcher."

Greatest pure athlete ever to step on a mat. Northern California All-Around Gymnastics champion. Winner in UFC 9 under no holds barred rules.

Ben Askren Ben Askren was a two-time NCAA champion and U.S. Olympian in freestyle wrestling. He competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later transitioned to MMA, where he became a champion in Bellator and ONE Championship. Askren was known for his unorthodox style and scrambling ability.

Among the best, but not the best. Love his style the most, though.

Kyle Snyder Kyle Snyder won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics at age 20. He has also earned multiple World Championship titles and silver medals. Snyder became the youngest American to win both a World and Olympic wrestling title.
Dave Schultz Dave Schultz won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He also captured a World Championship in 1983 and was known for competing in multiple weight classes. Schultz was tragically murdered in 1996 by John du Pont.

How can you have an all-time great list without this man? He was phenomenal and would be a 2-time Olympic champ had he not been brutally murdered.

Should be top 2... Even without the tragic story, the man was an animal.

Great Gama The Great Gama, also known as Ghulam Muhammad, was an undefeated Indian wrestler who competed in over 5,000 matches during the early 20th century. He was awarded the title of Rustam-e-Hind and gained international recognition after defeating several prominent Western wrestlers. Gama's training methods and dominance influenced generations of wrestlers in South Asia.

Seriously? 24?

He should be in the top 5. Bruce Lee got inspired by his workouts. He challenged himself to wrestle back-to-back against 10 players in England.

He defeated a 7-foot wrestler in minutes.

If he is the only undefeated wrestler ever, shouldn't he be the best?

Only one undefeated wrestler. Undoubtedly the best.

Lee Kemp Lee Kemp won three World Championship titles in freestyle wrestling during the late 1970s. He was the first American to win three world titles in wrestling before the age of 25. Kemp was selected for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but did not compete due to the boycott.

Started wrestling in 9th grade at age 14.

Undefeated in 11th and 12th grade, winning two State Titles.

Beat legend Dan Gable as an 18-year-old college sophomore (Gable was 27).

Won his first of three World titles at age 21, becoming the youngest World Champion in United States history. He held that distinction for 30 years.

First three-time World Champion. Held that distinction for 7 years.

Won three NCAA titles and placed 2nd as a true freshman. He held the longest collegiate winning streak without a loss, with 101 consecutive wins, and held that distinction for 23 years.

After winning his third World Gold, he was the most accomplished American wrestler of all time and held that distinction for 7 years.

Abdollah Movahed Abdollah Movahed is an Iranian freestyle wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He also earned five World Championship titles between 1965 and 1970. Movahed competed in the lightweight category and was known for his technical precision.

He started wrestling at 19! He was on the national team 8 months later. He won six straight world titles with an Olympic gold in the middle. He gave up no takedowns in 6 years! Dan Gable was lucky Movahed injured his shoulder in his first match in the 1972 Olympics and had to pull out.

Dominated the world of wrestling from the mid-60s to early 70s. Never lost at the major competition level.

This guy never lost an international match. NEVER. Several world and Olympic golds.

Pat Smith Pat Smith was the first wrestler in NCAA history to win four individual Division I national titles. He competed for Oklahoma State University from 1990 to 1994. Smith later served as a coach and contributed to the development of youth wrestling programs.

Crazy that this guy is so far down!

Tom Brands Tom Brands won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was a three-time NCAA champion at the University of Iowa. Brands later became head coach of Iowa's wrestling program, continuing the school's strong wrestling legacy.

Tom, along with his brother Terry, is amazing. As coaches for Iowa, they are very good!

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