Bob Anderson (wrestler)

Anderson attended South High School in Torrance, California, where he placed 3rd his junior year, and finished as a California state champion his senior year.

In college, Anderson first attended El Camino College, where he won CCCAA states as a sophomore and had a record-breaking 1 loss the whole season. He ended up transferring to Adams State College, where became a 2-time NAIA All-American, and was Rocky Mountain Champion.[3]Anderson was also an NCAA Division I All-American, by placing sixth in the University division of the NCAA tournament.[4]

In 2015, Adams was inducted into the Adams State University Athletics Hall of Fame.[5]

In 1968, Anderson began his senior level wrestling career when he won the Western Regional Olympic trials and then the 1968 Olympic trials in Greco-Roman.[3] In 1971, placed 2nd at the Greco-Roman World Team trials. Anderson last competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1979 Pan American championships.

Shortly after his fall in the world championships, he became a coach. He coached his first competition in Mexico City leading his team to a team title. In 1978, Anderson traveled to Brazil, also leading two national teams to victory in the Sambo tournament. During this time, Anderson trained Rolls Gracie, whom he would teach techniques like the Americana Arm Bar.[6][7][3] In 1984 Anderson was an assistant coach for a 3rd-placing national wrestling team in the Olympics held in Los Angeles. He was also a 1996 US Olympic Team Greco-Roman wrestling coach.[3]

In 2003, he became the World Masters Wrestling Champion at 211 lbs.[3] Anderson has also trained wrestlers such as Rulon Gardner, Dan Henderson, Heath Sims, and Randy Couture.[4] Within the sport of wrestling, Anderson is a longtime champion, coach, and mentor. Every other year Anderson would host camps for wrestlers.

In 2009, he earned the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame California chapter.[8]