HBO Signature to air documentary "Freestyle: the Victories of Dan Gable"

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
10/14/1999


"HBO SIGNATURE DOUBLE EXPOSURE" DOCUMENTARY, FREESTYLE: THE VICTORIES OF DAN GABLE, A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE LITTLE-KNOWN WORLD OF BIG-TIME COLLEGE WRESTLING, DEBUTS NOV. 14, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO SIGNATURE 

In baseball, it's Ruth. In basketball, Jordan. Hockey has Gretzky. In amateur wrestling, it's Gable.

FREESTYLE: THE VICTORIES OF DAN GABLE, an illuminating look into the heart and motivation of a true sports champion, tells the story of the college-wrestling legend and his drive to be the best as both an athlete and a coach. The "HBO Signature Double Exposure" presentation debuts SUNDAY, NOV. 14 (7:15-9:00 p.m. ET), exclusively on HBO Signature.

Other HBO Signature playdates: Nov. 16 (4:15 p.m.), 18 (10:45 p.m.), 22 (12:40 a.m.), 25 (7:00 a.m.) and 28 (11:15 a.m.).

FREESTYLE: THE VICTORIES OF DAN GABLE offers insights into a single-minded pursuit of excellence that transcends sport. A gold medal winner at the 1972 Olympics, Gable's record on the mat stands among the greatest of any sport in history. In addition to his 181-match consecutive winning streak as a college wrestler at Iowa State University, Gable went on to become the sport's most successful coach, leading the University of Iowa to 15 NCAA team championships, nine of them in a row.

The film offers a rare glimpse into the unique world of college wrestling, chronicling Gable's life through flashbacks and footage of his final season as head wrestling coach of the University of Iowa. Following the team from early practices through their triumphant 1997 NCAA tournament, the film also looks at Gable's personal life through rare footage and photos, as well as interviews with friends, family and Gable himself. In addition, FREESTYLE includes comments from comedians Al Franken and Tom Arnold, writer John Irving and artist Leroy Neiman.

While the documentary chronicles Gable's many triumphs, it also reveals his personal tragedies and professional disappointments, which he believes contributed to his singular drive to achieve. Among them are the brutal murder of his sister when he was 15, the defeat he suffered on the mat in his last college match, and the end of his Iowa team's nine-year reign as college champs.

The executive producer of FREESTYLE: THE VICTORIES OF DAN GABLE is Daniel G. Lind; produced by David L. Gould; directed by Kevin Kelley. For "HBO Signature Double Exposure": executive producer, Sheila Nevins; supervising producer, Kary Antholis.

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