Townsend Saunders

Last updated
Townsend Saunders
Personal information
BornApril 20, 1967 (1967-04-20) (age 56)
White Sands, New Mexico, U.S.
Home town Torrance, California, U.S.
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Olympic rings.svg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1996 Atlanta 68 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1991 Havana 68 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1995 Mar del Plata 68 kg
Goodwill Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1994 Saint Petersburg 68 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Arizona State Sun Devils
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1989 Oklahoma City 142 lb
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg1990 College Park150 lb
Representing the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1987 Edwardsville142 lb

Townsend Saunders (born April 20, 1967) is an Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling. [1] Collegiately, Saunders was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at Arizona State University and an NCAA Division II National Champion for California State University-Bakersfield. Townsend was also a Goodwill Games gold medalist in 1994 and won two Pan American Games gold medals in 1991 and 1995.

Contents

Biography

Saunders was born in White Sands, New Mexico. Known in college as "Junior" Saunders, [2] he adopted his given name in international competition. In 1985, he was a California State runner-up while wrestling for Torrance High School in Torrance, California. Townsend Saunders has also competed in mixed martial arts for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, at UFC 16 and UFC 18.

Saunders is married to Tricia Saunders, a four-time FILA World Champion in women's freestyle wrestling, and is the father of three children.

In 2019, Saunders was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member. [3]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches0 wins2 losses
By decision02
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss0–2 Mikey Burnett Decision (unanimous) UFC 18 January 8, 1999115:00 Kenner, Louisiana, United States
Loss0–1 Pat Miletich Decision (split) UFC 16 March 13, 1998115:00 Kenner, Louisiana, United StatesMMA Debut.

Submission grappling record

KO PUNCHES

ResultOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeNotes
Win Flag of Brazil.svg Andre Pederneiras DecisionThe Contenders199755:00

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References

  1. Dan, Gable (1998-12-01). Coaching Wrestling Successfully. Human Kinetics. ISBN   978-0-87322-404-8.
  2. Rowe, Reginald E. (2016-05-09). The Golden Era of Amateur Wrestling: 1980S. Archway Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4808-2963-3.
  3. Townsend Saunders. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 18, 2022.