Danny Hodge

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Dan Allen Hodge (born May 13, 1932) is an American athlete. He is renowned for his wrestling career, both amateur and professional, and has also been a boxer. Hodge grew up and still lives in Perry, Oklahoma.

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[edit] Wrestling career

He was a collegiate wrestler for the University of Oklahoma, winning the NCAA title three times and going undefeated at 46-0, with 36 pins. He was the first wrestler on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He worked as a professional wrestler for eighteen years, and was a 5-time USA Tag Team Champion, with Skandor Akbar, among others.

Hodge wrestled in the Olympics twice, placing 5th in 1952, and winning the Silver Medal in 1956, in Melbourne, Australia.

The Dan Hodge Trophy named after him is the amateur wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Danny Hodge is famous for crushing apples with one hand, a feat which he demonstrated live on ESPN during the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships. He said his strength was due to having double tendons. It is said that he can break pliers. Hodge made a brief appearance on WWE RAW in early 2005.

Trained by "Strangler" Ed Lewis , Danny Hodge was the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, holding the title eight times for a total of over ten years. This was longer than anyone, including Nelson Royal.

In 2007, Hodge was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

[edit] Boxing career

Danny was a Golden Gloves boxing champion, with a professional record of 8-2.

[edit] Personal

Hodge has been married to Delores for over 50 years.

On March 29, 2005, Danny Hodge was honored by Oklahoma state lawmakers as an 'Oklahoma Sports Hero'. [1]

[edit] Championships and Accomplishments

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