Brad Rheingans

Bert Bradley "Brad" Rheingans ( born December 13, 1953 in Appleton, Swift County, Minnesota ) is a former American professional wrestler.

Career

Career as a wrestler

Brad Rheingans visited by his high school days, the North Dakota State University and grew to become an outstanding wrestler in the Greco- Roman style. He competed in several U.S. Championships AAU and won two national titles. He was also sent to international championships. There, however, most of the time regarded as unbeatable Soviet athletes Nikolai Balboschin was a terminus for him. His greatest achievement was winning the Olympic bronze medal in 1976 in Montreal at heavyweight. 1980 Rheingans had again qualified for participation in the Olympic Games in Moscow, but could not attend because of the Olympic boycott the western state system. Frustrated, he subsequently went to the wrestlers, the American version of professional wrestling over.

Career as a wrestler

Rheingans occurred from 1981 until the closure of the League in 1991 for the American Wrestling Association ( AWA). In 1981 he was named the wrestling magazine " Wrestling Observer Newsletter " for rookie of the year. The AWA was Rheingans in several battles against their reigning champion Nick Bockwinkel compete. Between March 1989 and September 1989 Rheingans held together with former Olympian in weightlifting, Ken Patera, as " The Olympians " the tag team title of the AWA. Along with Baron von Raschke, who was also a former world- class wrestler under his real name of James Raschke, Rheingans temporarily held the Tag Team belts League Pro Wrestling America. Rheingans also had a short stint with the World Wrestling Federation, as well as appearances in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He finished his wrestling career in 1994 after performing in smaller independent leagues in Minnesota.

Rheingans had already worked as a trainer during his wrestling career and opened by end of his career a wrestling school. His students include well-known wrestlers like Big Van Vader or John " Bradshaw " Layfield.

International success

(OS = Olympic Games, WM = World Cup, S = Heavy weight up to 100 kg body weight, GR = Greek -Roman style)

National success

(NCAA = amerik. University sports federation )