Chris Taylor (wrestler)

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Men's Freestyle Wrestling
Olympic medal record
Bronze	1972 Munich	Super Heavyweight

Chris Taylor (June 13, 1950 – June 30, 1979) was an American freestyle wrestler who competed at 1972 Munich Olympics. At 412 pounds (187 kg) he was the heaviest Olympian ever. (This was well before weight limits were imposed on the highest level of amateur wrestling.)

The 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) Taylor, wrestled for Dowagiac High School in Dowagiac, Michigan, Iowa State University (winning the NCAA heavyweight championship in 1972 by defeating Greg Wojciechowski), and won the bronze medal for at the 1972 Olympics, after which he started a career in professional wrestling. Reportedly reaching over 500 pounds in weight,^{[citation needed]} Taylor died of a heart attack at the age of 29.^{[citation needed]}

Chris Taylor (USA) is suplayed by Wilfried Dietrich (West Germany) during their match at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The move broke Dietrich's neck, but won him the match. Video.

Taylor once wrestled professionally in the American Wrestling Association where he faced Ric Flair. At the time, nothing was thought of Flair, and Taylor was thought to be the future star.^{[citation needed]}