USA Wrestling names two-time Olympic champion Sergei Beloglazov as Freestyle Resident Coach

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
11/26/2003


USA Wrestling has named two-time Olympic champion and internationally respected coach Sergei Beloglazov as its Freestyle Resident Coach, announced Executive Director Rich Bender.     Beloglazov joined USA Wrestling's national staff from his most recent position as the Head National Coach for Russia in freestyle wrestling.    He has moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. and will coach the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athletes in freestyle wrestling, as well as the nation's elite freestyle wrestlers who come there for training opportunities. He will work closely with National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson to help the United States achieve its goal of being the world's best wrestling team.    Beloglazov has been coaching the U.S. athletes in recent months, and has now completed the necessary logistical details to move to the United States permanently and work full-time for USA Wrestling.    "Sergei Beloglazov brings a unique talent and ability to our freestyle program," said Executive Director Rich Bender. "We feel that Sergei Beloglazov and Kevin Jackson form the strongest coaching staff in the world today. We are excited for our athletes to have the opportunity to work with one of wrestling's greatest athletes and coaches. Our organization is fortunate to add such a technically skilled and experienced coach to the team."    Beloglazov is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Competing for the Soviet Union, Beloglazov dominated the 57 kg/125.5 lbs. division during the 1980's. He won Olympic gold medals at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia and the 1988 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.    He also claimed six World Championship gold medals (1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987). His amazing gold-medal winning streak was only interrupted in 1984, when the Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Olympic Games.    Among the other major achievements of his athletic career were five European Championship gold medals, a 1986 World Cup title and a 1986 Goodwill Games title. He was also a 1979 World silver medalist, and captured a 1975 Espoir World silver medal.    Beloglazov competed with a technical proficiency and power that was unmatched during his era. Wrestling fans marveled at his crisp, clean and explosive style, which allowed him to dominate his opponents for a decade.    Beloglazov brings tremendous coaching experience to his position at USA Wrestling. He served as a Head National Coach for world power Russia for five years, and was also its Technical Director. Russia has been the dominant nation in international freestyle wrestling, winning the most freestyle wrestling medals at the 2000 Olympic Games and claiming World Team titles in 1997, 1999 and 2001.    He also served as the National Freestyle Coach for Japan over four years, and was its 1996 Olympic Coach. During his tenure, he worked with World silver medalist Takahiro Wada and Olympic bronze medalist Takuya Ota and the rest of the Japanese national team.    After his competitive career ended, Beloglazov also coached four years in the United States as an assistant coach for Lehigh University, one of the nation's top Div. I wrestling powers.    He is also considered one of the best clinicians in the world, and is one of the most sought-after instructors of freestyle wrestling. For four years, he was the FILA instructor for the International Wrestling Seminar held in Rome, Italy. His peers recognize him as one of the best minds in the sport.    Sergei has a twin brother Anatoly, who was also an Olympic and World Champion for the Soviet Union, competing at a lower division than Sergei.     "I think I can help, especially in the par terre position," said Beloglazov. "My point of view is more technical than physical. In the United States, they wrestle more physical than technical. The rules of wrestling have changed. Matches are shorter and are more intense. Technique is much more important. I really think I can help technically."    "The U.S. team works very hard," he continued. "If the U.S. team improves in par terre, especially on top, the team will be much better. It is good to know this and work on this before the Olympic Games. Kevin Jackson asks me for my advice. When he wants my help, I work with the national team."    Beloglazov, along with his wife and two children, have moved to Colorado Springs full-time.    "Everybody is together here, and it is much more comfortable," said Beloglazov. "It is good for us all to live here."