Greco-Roman wrestling is currently in a rough spot in the USA. At the Paris Olympics, Team USA couldn’t secure a single podium finish, leaving fans disheartened. Kamal Bey, one of the top names in American Greco-Roman wrestling, took to X to defend the sport, saying, “The most popular style of wrestling internationally is Greco Roman. Most Americans won’t even take time to learn the sport that’s why it’s uninteresting to most.” This is a far cry from the days when American Greco-Roman wrestlers were a regular feature on the Olympic podium.

Now, adding to the sport’s woes, we’ve lost Pavel Katsen, 79, the legendary former head coach of the US Greco-Roman wrestling team. Katsen was a pivotal figure in making the sport a household name in the US, particularly for his role in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Under his guidance, the team not only included Dennis Koslowski, who clinched a bronze in the 100 kg weight class, but also had three wrestlers in the top 10.

His passing is a huge loss, especially during such a low period for Greco-Roman wrestling. Fans remember him fondly, with one saying, “He was a breath of fresh air, and had nothing but encouragement and good things to say to everyone. RIP, Pavel! We loved you.” Katsen’s positive spirit and contributions to the sport will be greatly missed. Katsen’s nature was always just like that—full of encouragement and positivity!

Pavel Katsen, who came from Soviet Russia, the cradle of Greco-Roman wrestling, faced defection to come to the USA. Despite his deep roots in Russian wrestling, he didn’t just transplant his techniques; he adapted them to fit American culture. Katsen’s former students from the 1985-86 national wrestling camp remember him as a tough but insightful coach, particularly skilled in making the technical aspects of wrestling engaging and accessible.

After arriving in the USA in 1979 and navigating a five-year visa process, Katsen saw an opportunity to blend Greco-Roman wrestling with freestyle, which was more popular in the States. He often remarked on the relevance of Greco-Roman wrestling to American values, saying, “Greco-Roman is what Americans are all about. It’s man vs. man, face to face. It’s taking great risks in order to win. It’s all about bravery, about being strong enough to meet the challenge, to be the best. See, that’s what America itself is all about.” This perspective helped bridge the gap between the sport and its American audience.

Katsen’s impact was undeniable. In the 1984 Olympics, he served as an assistant to head coach Ron Finley, and the team made history by winning the first US Olympic gold in Greco-Roman wrestling. Four years later, as head coach, he guided the team to a bronze medal. His influence continued into the 2000 Olympics, where under his guidance, Rulon Gardner achieved an extraordinary victory over Russian legend Alexander Karelin in the 130-kg weight class.

Pavel Katsen also played a pivotal role in nurturing young talent in the USA, helping many wrestlers find their path in the sport. His passing has prompted a wave of tributes on social media, with fans acknowledging the profound impact he had on Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States!

Fans still remember the ‘awesome’ coach who changed the course of wrestling in the USA 

In his quest to popularize Greco-Roman wrestling in the USA, Pavel Katsen didn’t just sit back; he traveled far and wide, setting up camps that were goldmines of knowledge for wrestlers and coaches alike. One standout camp was his collaboration with Olympic freestyle champion Mark Schultz.

The duo left a lasting impression, as one attendee reminisced on Reddit, “He and Mark Schultz came to Hawaii and gave a weekend clinic in 1985 or 1986. He was an awesome coach and I learned a lot from him.” Katsen was one of the first to blend Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, making his clinics particularly memorable. But wait. There’s more!

With his Russian background, Katsen brought an array of advanced techniques from Russian wrestling, known for its excellence. These techniques were a hit among his trainees. One Reddit user shared, “We learned Russian arm bars, Russian arm spins, and belly to belly throws (souplays). In the 2000s while overseas in Iceland, I met this guy and got to talking about wrestling and he said one of his fondest memories was their trip to Hawaii and learning throws from Katsen. We were both speaking highly of the man. I taught many of the techniques I learned from him. He was a great coach!”

Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, “His clinic outside Richmond, Virginia when I was a freshman in high school was instrumental in my Wrestling development and love for Greco.” Pavel Katsen’s legacy is firmly entrenched in the hearts of his students and admirers. As someone on X aptly put it, “Exactly as they, “people might not live forever, but there work sure can do.” Indeed, Katsen’s impact on American wrestling will endure for years to come.