Known as one of the fiercest, most highly-conditioned competitors in the world, Terry Brands became one of only six athletes in American history to win two or more World freestyle gold medals when he captured World titles in 1993 in Toronto and 1995 in Atlanta. Competing at 57 kg/125.5 pounds, he helped the United States win the freestyle title both years, the only two times the USA has triumphed in the event as a team.

After a short retirement, Brands also won an Olympic bronze medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. His only loss came in the semifinals, where he was edged by eventual champion Ali Reza Dabir of Iran.

Alongside his brother Tom, also a World champion, he was named 1993 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year, John Smith Freestyle Wrestler of the Year and Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year. The duo became the first U.S. brothers to each win a World title in the same year.

Terry was a two-time World Cup champion, a Pan American Games gold medalist and a two-time silver medal winner at the renowned Yarygin Tournament in Russia. He also won three U.S. National Open Freestyle titles. He won the World Team Trials five times but missed two World Championships due to injury.

A two-time NCAA Division I champion and three-time finalist for the University of Iowa, Brands won three Big Ten titles as well, ending his career with a 137-7 record. A native of Sheldon, Iowa, he also captured a state high school championship.

A successful and respected coach, Brands served 10 years as an assistant on the college level, helping develop strong teams at Montana State Northern, the University of Nebraska and the University of Iowa. He then served three years as the head coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, bringing the Mocs program to national prominence.

As the National Freestyle Resident Coach for USA Wrestling, Brands works daily with the USA’s best freestyle competitors. He is responsible for the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athletes who train with him full time and also works with elite athletes who travel to Colorado Springs for short-term programs.

For his outstanding athletic example and his devotion to motivating young wrestlers, Terry Brands is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.