Melvin Douglas III

August 21, 1963 - Present

Melvin L. Douglas, III, had one of the longest and most distinguished wrestling careers in American history.

Although he didn’t start wrestling until he was 13 years old, Douglas won three individual state championships for Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kan., (1979, 1980, and 1981) along with a Junior National freestyle title in 1981.

Hall of Fame coach Stan Abel recruited him to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma, where he became one of the best wrestlers in program history. Douglas compiled a 109-19-4 record, capping his collegiate career with Big Eight Conference and NCAA 177-pound titles in each of his last two years. He was also part of two of Oklahoma’s most successful teams, helping the Sooners earn Big Eight titles and NCAA runner-up finishes in both 1985 and 1986.

His greatest success, however, came at the international level. Douglas excelled in freestyle wrestling and was a prominent force on the world stage for over 15 years. Domestically, he won seven U.S. National titles and was a member of 11 USA National teams. Internationally, he made six World teams and two Olympic teams.

In 1989, after becoming one of a handful of Americans ever to win the Tbilisi tournament, Douglas placed second at the World Championships at 180.5 pounds. Four years later he reached the pinnacle of the sport at the World Championships in Toronto, Canada, winning the gold. He followed up that success with a bronze medal in 1995.

The former Sooner superstar qualified for his first Olympic team in 1996 and placed seventh. In 2000, at the age of 37, he again represented his country in the Olympic Games. Douglas wrestled in his final competition at the age of 40 when he entered the 2004 Olympic Trials.

In recognition of a long successful career at the highest level of collegiate and international competition, Melvin L. Douglas, III, is enshrined as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2013
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
1986
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
177
Place
1
Season
1985
School
Oklahoma
Tournament
Division I
Weight
177
Place
1

College Season Records:

Season
1986
School
Oklahoma
Class
Senior
Bouts
19
Wins
18
Losses
0
Ties
1
Falls
4
Win PCT.
94.74
Place
1st
Season
1985
School
Oklahoma
Class
Junior
Bouts
40
Wins
38
Losses
2
Ties
0
Falls
6
Win PCT.
95
Place
1st
Season
1984
School
Oklahoma
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
39
Wins
29
Losses
9
Ties
1
Falls
0
Win PCT.
74.36
Place
DNP
Season
1983
School
Oklahoma
Class
Freshman
Bouts
24
Wins
15
Losses
7
Ties
2
Falls
0
Win PCT.
62.5
Place
DNW
Season
1982
School
Oklahoma
Class
Freshman
Bouts
10
Wins
9
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
2
Win PCT.
90
Place
DNW
Season
Career
Bouts
132
Wins
109
Losses
19
Ties
4
Falls
12
Win PCT.
82.58

All Rankings:

Season
1986
Rank Date
02/03/1986
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma
Season
1986
Rank Date
02/24/1986
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma
Season
1986
Rank Date
03/13/1986
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma
Season
1985
Rank Date
02/25/1985
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma
Season
1985
Rank Date
03/14/1985
Weight
177
Rank
1
School
Oklahoma

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