There is only one way for our USA freestyle wrestlers to be competitive in the World, and that is to compete in overseas tournaments. When USA Wrestling....and the National Coach.... sends a team to Europe, that team includes Paul Kieblesz as Team Leader and FILA Liaison. Paul has been part of USA Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling since 1964. Many consider Paul Kieblesz to be the most important member of every USA Wrestling delegation to Europe.

Paul was born in Poland in 1939, and by the age of 18 was wrestling for the Lotnik Club (First League) in the city of Wroclaw. In 1962, Paul was the runner-up in Poland's Greco-Roman National Championships and was a National Team member. While proud of his Polish heritage, Paul's real desire was to wrestle in the United States of America since his mother was an American citizen. While Paul's parents and brother were able to come to the US in 1963, Paul continued to fulfill his obligation to the Polish Army Wrestling Team for one more year and came to the US in 1964.

Upon arrival into the US, Paul went directly to the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) and began a wrestling career that has spanned well over 46 years. It was then that he first met Bill Farrell, NYAC Wrestling Chairman and later, 1972 US Olympic Coach. That relationship helped build NYAC Wrestling into the most successful program in the country, and possibly the world.

Paul wrestled for the New York Athletic Club from 1965 to 1973 when he began his career as an international referee representing the USA. As a competitor, Paul wrestled 114-1/2lbs where he won a number of NYAC Tournaments in both Greco and Freestyle and placed third in the US Nationals in Greco-Roman. During Paul's NYAC wrestling years he was the workout partner for such great wrestlers as Rocky Aoki, Andy Fitch and John Morley.

In 1973 Paul began his career as an International Wrestling Referee. In two years, he became a FILA I Official. He went on to referee 28 US National Championships and numerous prestigious international tournaments and dual meets. Along the way, Paul has met many FILA members, international coaches, and World and Olympic Medalists. While his initial purpose was to referee, it became clear that Paul's strengths were in his personality and his ability to effectively communicate with foreign officials. That unique ability has allowed US wrestling teams to compete while avoiding distractions.

Paul speaks Polish and Russian and understands most Slavic Languages. Over the years, Paul made many friends in the original Soviet Union, and with the breakup, many of the wrestling people throughout all the satellite countries. Almost every USA Wrestling Tour to Europe, including World and Olympic Championships, has a story to tell where Paul Kieblesz saved them from what could have been very bad situations.

In Metropolitan area New York which includes Long Island and Westchester, Paul is always there to help with a wrestling program, a tournament, or even a single wrestler. He helps with the "Beat the Streets Program” and is a Board Member of Metropolitan Wrestling Association. Paul has been the Officials Chairman for the NYAC International Wrestling Tournament for well over a dozen years. Sonny Greenhalgh, NYAC Wrestling Chairman for 31 years and current Chairman Emeritus, will tell you that Paul has always been by his side in overseeing the NYAC Wrestling Program.

In 2008 Paul Kieblesz received the USA Wrestling Award for "Team Leader of the Year". Paul Kieblesz continues to volunteer to help our sport of wrestling in both our local area and internationally overseas. His dedication and love of the sport has truly been an invaluable asset to US and NY Metro area Wrestling.