Jeff Blatnick

Jeffrey Carl " Jeff" Blatnick ( born July 26, 1957 in Schenectady, New York, † 24 October 2012 in Ballston, New York) was an American wrestler.

Career

Jeff Blatnick began his career Ringer 1973 at the Niskayuna High School in Niskayuna, New York. He wrestled very successful in two styles ( Greco- roman style and freestyle), and won 69 of 81 fights. In 1975 he was Master of the State of New York in the heavy weight, clear style. From 1976 he continued his career at Springfield College in Massachusetts continues, won some championships and qualified in the Greco-Roman style also for participating in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. However, the Olympic boycott the USA nullified his start. 1980, it was American champion in Greco-Roman style in the super heavyweight class and finished in the same year at the World Cup in Trelleborg 2nd place behind Alexander Koltschinski - then four years later he won in Los Angeles awaited Olympic gold medal ( super heavyweight, Greco-Roman style), by the Swedish world champion Tomas Johansson defeated on points in the final; Johansson was convicted and disqualified of doping. At a World Cup Jeff Blatnick never took part.

His Olympic victory in 1984 is all the more remarkable since 1982 Blatnick cancer occurred, which was treated by chemotherapy. In 1988, he overcame a relapse of the disease. Jeff Blatnick worked for many years as a director in the American Wrestling Federation. He also likes worked as a radio reporter for sports, mainly wrestling.

Due to strong heart problems died Blatnick on 24 October 2012 at the age of 55 years.

International success

(OS = Olympic Games, GR = Greco-Roman style, F = Freestyle, S = Heavy weight, SS = Super Heavyweight, then to 100 kg and 100 kg body weight)