One of the greatest wrestlers of his generation, Stephen Abas was an Olympic silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He was a 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist; a three-time member of the U.S.A. World Team; a three-time NCAA national champion and four-time All-America at Fresno State University. From 1998 to 2002 he earned an incredible school record of 144 wins, with just four losses and 46 pins. His career winning percentage of 97.3 percent is also a school record.

After placing fourth in the 1998 NCAA Championships at 118, he reeled off a stunning 95 consecutive victories including 35-0 as a junior and 34-0 as a senior, to dominate the 125-pound weight class with NCAA titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. He was named the Fresno State Male Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

In 2005, Abas was named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team in the lightweight division, along with current Distinguished Members Tom Brands, Dan Gable, John Smith and Yojiro Uetake Obata.

In 2008, Abas reached the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials against fellow 2018 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Henry Cejudo. In an extremely competitive three-bout series, he was edged by Cejudo, 2-1, despite competing with a severely damaged knee. Cejudo went on to win the gold medal in Beijing.

Abas had a brief career in Mixed Martial Arts, compiling a 3-0 record.

Before starring at Fresno State and on the international stage, Abas won three California high school state championships at Canyon Springs High School and James Logan High School and was named to the Wrestling USA Magazine’s Dream Team of High School All-Americans in 1996. He also was a NHSCA Senior National champion and Junior National champion.

For his dominance at the high school, collegiate, national and international levels, and his life-long dedication to the sport of wrestling, Stephen Abas is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.