Stephen Anthony Abas (born January 12, 1978) is an American Olympic Freestyle wrestler and Mixed martial artist. Abas became a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion in the 125 lb (57 kg) weight division while attending Fresno State University. He has competed in two world freestyle championships and received a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Video Stephen Abas
Early life
He graduated from James Logan High School after two years as a star wrestler. Prior to JLHS he attended Canyon Springs High School, in Moreno Valley, California. He and his brother Gerry Abas were members of the Wan Tu Wazuri wrestling club at Oakland Tech, Oakland, California.
Wrestling for California State University, Fresno from 1998-2002, he earned four All-American honours at the D1 NCAA wrestling championships, placing fourth at 118 as a freshman and winning the next three years at the 125-pound (57 kg) weight class. He finished his college career with a 144-4 record, with 46 pins. going undefeated his last two college seasons.
In 2009, Abas was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Maps Stephen Abas
Olympic wrestling career
He is also a decorated freestyle wrestler; he has competed in two world freestyle championships and received a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. At the 2005 D1 championships, he was named as one of the fifteen greatest wrestlers in NCAA history alongside others standouts such as Kurt Angle, Cael Sanderson, Dan Gable, etc. and was elected to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team.
He tried out for the 2008 USA Olympic Team and reached the finals of the Olympic Trials, losing to Henry Cejudo in a best of 3 series 2 matches to 1, even though he competed with a damaged knee. In 2008, he retired from competitive wrestling.
Mixed martial arts career
He began a MMA career. He teaches and trains out of The Arena MMA gym in San Diego, alongside other notable athletes such as Diego Sanchez, Joe Duarte, Rani Yahya, KJ Noons, Fabricio Camoes, and Xande Ribeiro.
MMA record
References
External links
- The Arena
- Stephen Abas profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Professional MMA record for Stephen Abas from Sherdog
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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