Wrestling at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis
On Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15, 1904, 42 wrestlers in 7 weight classes met in the first Olympic Games contested in the freestyle wrestling method. Prior Olympic Games were contested in the Greco-Roman style of wrestling. The 1904 Summer Olympics was held in conjunction with the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, MO.
Wrestling Match from the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis
St. Louis was well-represented in the wrestling tournament. Unlike the boxing tournament, a St. Louisan did not win a gold medal in wrestling during these Olympic Games.
Frank X. Kugler, who took the silver medal in the heavyweight wrestling division, holds the distinction of being the only person to win three medals in three different sports. Kugler took the bronze medal in weightlifting and his Southwest Turnverein Hall team took the bronze medal in the tug of war.
St. Louisans took two medals in the heavyweight division. Fred Warmbold from the North Turnverein Hall in Hyde Park took the bronze medal for third place. Gold medalist Bernhoff Hansen threw Warmbold with a waist hold for the quickest fall in 23 seconds. Warmbold avenged himself in the bronze medal match and won third place.
Inside of the South St. Louis Turnvereine Hall circa 1900 from the Yeckel Collection
The North and South Turnverein Halls were well represented in wrestling, weightlifting and tug of war. While many of the wrestlers did not medal, the Turners came out to compete and give the field some competition. Turner Hall strongly promoted physical fitness in cities such as St. Louis and Milwaukee.
Frank Kugler lived in St. Louis until his death on July 7, 1952. Kugler was a retired brewery worker, who lived in the 4300 block of Arsenal Street. Kugler still holds the distinction of being the only three sport medalist in Olympic history.
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