Abraham Lincoln is one of the most well-regarded presidents in U.S. and has become an American icon. Given his track record as president, kids in school usually write their papers about Lincoln. Outside of politics, Lincoln has become quite iconic for his looks, stovepipe hat and beard, and has become a bigger than life in U.S. lore. But before he was president, and well before he was a senator and lawyer…he was the king of the ring. There was a time when a young Abe Lincoln was one of the nation’s greatest wrestlers. At 6’4, Lincoln was a towering figure in his time…especially if you think about the average height of people in the early 1800’s. Lincoln was enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Now, the type of wrestling that Lincoln competed in was more akin to Olympic style wrestling (Olympic in the modern sense – it’s a sport that dates back to Ancient Greece). There are some scholars who debate the accounts of Lincoln’s win-loss record, but legend has it that Lincoln amassed a dominating number of wins as a wrestler at county fairs and other competitions. Dr. Christian McWhirter is the Lincoln historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. McWhirter said that “One common claim is that Lincoln only lost one out of 300 or 500 matches…All of these stories are out there. There’s not a lot of evidence for a lot of them.” There is a verified wrestling match that has been documented, which occurred shortly after Lincoln moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he started working for a general store.
In the U.S., wrestling has a long and history that dates back to the Native Americans. Early colonists in America also partook in the arts of wrestling, notable figures like George Washington. Wrestling in the Midwest regions of the 1830s were more of a rough-and tumble style, a combination style that consisted of hand-to-hand combat and test of strength. Lincoln may have had 300 matches in his early days; Legend has it that he may have only lost once in 1832 during the Black Hawk War. In 1831, Lincoln’s famous victory came against his opponent Jack Armstrong, a tough local in New Salem, Illinois, Lincoln achieved victory via submission. Some have argued that his rep as a wrestler may have slightly boosted his votes to get him elected as U.S. president in 1860.
Abraham Lincoln went on to become one of the most celebrated U.S. presidents ever. Who knows if wrestling entertainment were around back then, maybe he would have become one of the biggest stars in wrestling. But one thing is certain, Illinois, certainly knows a thing or two about wrestling. There is storied tradition of wrestling in the great state of Illinois. There is a profound sense of pride and joy when it comes to wrestling in Illinois. The state of Illinois is no stranger to champions or presidents.
