James “Jim” Martinez was a two-time World and Olympic medalist. He was a bronze medalist at the 1984 Olympics and at the 1985 World Championships, both at 149.5 pounds.
Martinez also made Greco-Roman World teams in 1983, 1986, and 1987. He wrestled collegiately for the University of Minnesota under coach Wally Johnson, where he was a two-time All-American (1979 and 1982) and a Big Ten champion (1979). An Osseo, Minnesota native, Martinez won a Class AA Minnesota High School state championship in 1977 at 132 pounds.
He will be inducted into the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions in 2014.
International Resume
1982 World Cup Team Member (Budapest, Hungary) 149.5 pounds
1983 World Team Member (Kiev, Soviet Union) 149.5 pounds
1983 Pan-American Games Team Member (Caracas, Venezuela) 149.5 pounds Pan Am Bronze Medal
1984 Olympic Team Member (Los Angeles, California) 149.5 pounds, Olympic Bronze Medal
1985 World Team Member (Kobaltn, Norway) 149.5 pounds, World Bronze Medal
1985 World Super Championship Team Member (Tokyo, Japan) 149.5 pounds, Gold Medal
1985 World Cup Team Member (Lund, Sweden) 149.5 pounds Silver Medal
1986 World Team Member (Budapest, Hungary) 149.5 pounds
1987 World Team Member (Clermont-Ferrand, France) 149.5 pounds
1987 Pan American Championships Team Member 149.5 pounds Bronze Medal
1987 Pan American Games Team Member (Indianapolis, Indiana) 149.5 pounds Bronze Medal
Press
On The Mat Radio Program (KCZN 1650 AM, Cedar Falls, Iowa) – Sept. 24, 2014
Tempe Corona wrestling coach to be inducted into national hall of fame (East Valley Tribune) Sept. 22, 2014
