Kenny Dale Monday, born on November 25, 1961, is a name that resonates with power and prestige in the world of wrestling. An Olympic gold medalist and three-time All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State University, Monday’s journey from a young boy wrestling at a YMCA after-school program to clinching an Olympic gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympics is nothing short of inspirational.
Monday’s wrestling career is well-documented, and his legendary maneuver, which his counterparts feared the most helped him dominate his beloved arena. His signature move played a significant role in Monday amassing four state high school championships at four different weights with a nearly perfect record of 140-0-1. This amazing feat secured his position in Oklahoma history as the first high school wrestler to ever accomplish this.
Kenny Monday displayed his golden arm
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In a recent Instagram reel, Monday breaks down his legendary maneuver, providing wrestling enthusiasts a glimpse into the technique that made him a formidable force in the wrestling ring. The video posted by Rudis, the quality performance gear manufacturer quoted – “Olympic and World Champion @boo.monday recaps the key points to successfully execute his signature Lateral Drop.”
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The video highlighted the breaking down of the key movement Kenny mastered over the year to outperform his opponents. And his go-to weapon was the lateral-drop takedown, a testament to his skill and prowess in the sport. However, it also served as a glimpse of the incredible journey of Kenny Monday, an Olympic gold medalist, 3x All-American wrestler, and MMA champion.
Legacy beyond the wrestling mat
Monday’s accolades extend beyond his special lateral drop. He won the Olympic Championship in 1988 in a 5–2 overtime win against the Soviet Union’s Adlan Varaev. Monday was a silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics and placed sixth in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. In 2001, Monday was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.
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Kenny Monday’s contribution to the sport extends beyond his personal achievements. He has coached 30 national champions and 50 All-Americans. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of wrestlers is evident in his work as the head wrestling coach of the resurrected Morgan State University program.
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