Stephen Abas

January 12, 1978 - Present

One of the greatest wrestlers of his generation, Stephen Abas was an Olympic silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He was a 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist; a three-time member of the U.S.A. World Team; a three-time NCAA national champion and four-time All-America at Fresno State University. From 1998 to 2002 he earned an incredible school record of 144 wins, with just four losses and 46 pins. His career winning percentage of 97.3 percent is also a school record.

After placing fourth in the 1998 NCAA Championships at 118, he reeled off a stunning 95 consecutive victories including 35-0 as a junior and 34-0 as a senior, to dominate the 125-pound weight class with NCAA titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He was named the Fresno State Male Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

In 2005, Abas was named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team in the lightweight division, along with current Distinguished Members Tom Brands, Dan Gable, John Smith and Yojiro Uetake Obata.

In 2008, Abas reached the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials against fellow 2018 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Henry Cejudo. In an extremely competitive three-bout series, he was edged by Cejudo, 2-1, despite competing with a severely damaged knee. Cejudo went on to win the gold medal in Beijing.

Abas had a brief career in Mixed Martial Arts, compiling a 3-0 record.

Before starring at Fresno State and on the international stage, Abas won three California high school state championships at Canyon Springs High School and James Logan High School and was named to the Wrestling USA Magazine’s Dream Team of High School All-Americans in 1996. He also was a NHSCA Senior National champion and Junior National champion.

For his dominance at the high school, collegiate, national and international levels, and his life-long dedication to the sport of wrestling, Stephen Abas is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2018
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National

All American Awards:

Season
2002
School
Fresno State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
125
Place
1
Season
2001
School
Fresno State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
125
Place
1
Season
1999
School
Fresno State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
125
Place
1
Season
1998
School
Fresno State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
118
Place
4

College Season Records:

Season
2002
School
Fresno State
Class
Senior
Bouts
35
Wins
35
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
12
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
2001
School
Fresno State
Class
Junior
Bouts
34
Wins
34
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
10
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1999
School
Fresno State
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
38
Wins
37
Losses
1
Ties
0
Falls
6
Win PCT.
97.37
Place
1st
Season
1998
School
Fresno State
Class
Freshman
Bouts
41
Wins
38
Losses
3
Ties
0
Falls
4
Win PCT.
92.68
Place
4th
Season
Career
Bouts
148
Wins
144
Losses
4
Ties
0
Falls
32
Win PCT.
97.3

All Rankings:

Season
2002
Rank Date
11/09/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
12/10/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
01/12/2002
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
02/08/2002
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
02/22/2002
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
03/04/2002
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2002
Rank Date
03/22/2002
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
11/13/2000
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
12/07/2000
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
01/05/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
02/05/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
02/15/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
03/02/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
2001
Rank Date
03/16/2001
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
1999
Rank Date
02/26/1999
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State
Season
1999
Rank Date
03/12/1999
Weight
125
Rank
1
School
Fresno State

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations