Distinguished Member Gizoni passes away
Tony (Babe) Gizoni, who was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in June, passed away on July 28, at the age of 87.
“We are sorry to hear of the passing of Tony (Babe) Gizoni, but also grateful that he and his family were able to be here in June when he was inducted as a Distinguished Member,” said Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “Tony was a tremendous wrestler, a veteran, an educator and a coach who will forever be immortalized in our sport through his signature move, the Gizoni Special.”
One of the greatest wrestlers ever to grace the collegiate mat, Gizoni was undefeated for seven years in high school and college, winning 108 straight matches.
He became the fourth wrestler in Pennsylvania prep history to win three state championships, claiming titles from 1946 to 1948 at Washington High School.
Gizoni won back-to-back NCAA Division I championships for Waynesburg College. He was also voted Outstanding Wrestler after winning at 121 pounds in 1950 when, as an unseeded wrestler, he defeated the tournament’s top seed – a two-time defending national champion – in the finals. In 1951, wrestling at 123 pounds, he won the title as the No. 1 seed. Trailing in the finals, Gizoni used hand control, back pressure and a hip heist to get a reversal and gain the upper hand in a tight match. That patented move is forever known as the “Gizoni Special.” As a senior in 1952, he was ruled ineligible for the postseason after competing in dual meets and tournaments that were not approved by the NCAA Rules Committee.
While at Waynesburg, Gizoni’s 28 dual wins helped the Yellow Jackets to 34 consecutive dual meet wins from 1949 to 1952. Finishing his collegiate career with a 52-0 record, Gizoni’s overall record for high school and college was 120-3-1. The three losses and the tie occurred in his freshman year of high school.
Following his competitive days on the mat, Gizoni served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star for bravery in combat. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Washington-Greene, the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Waynesburg College Hall of Fame.
Memorial tributes may be made to Gleaners Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207.
“We are sorry to hear of the passing of Tony (Babe) Gizoni, but also grateful that he and his family were able to be here in June when he was inducted as a Distinguished Member,” said Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “Tony was a tremendous wrestler, a veteran, an educator and a coach who will forever be immortalized in our sport through his signature move, the Gizoni Special.”
One of the greatest wrestlers ever to grace the collegiate mat, Gizoni was undefeated for seven years in high school and college, winning 108 straight matches.
He became the fourth wrestler in Pennsylvania prep history to win three state championships, claiming titles from 1946 to 1948 at Washington High School.Gizoni won back-to-back NCAA Division I championships for Waynesburg College. He was also voted Outstanding Wrestler after winning at 121 pounds in 1950 when, as an unseeded wrestler, he defeated the tournament’s top seed – a two-time defending national champion – in the finals. In 1951, wrestling at 123 pounds, he won the title as the No. 1 seed. Trailing in the finals, Gizoni used hand control, back pressure and a hip heist to get a reversal and gain the upper hand in a tight match. That patented move is forever known as the “Gizoni Special.” As a senior in 1952, he was ruled ineligible for the postseason after competing in dual meets and tournaments that were not approved by the NCAA Rules Committee.
While at Waynesburg, Gizoni’s 28 dual wins helped the Yellow Jackets to 34 consecutive dual meet wins from 1949 to 1952. Finishing his collegiate career with a 52-0 record, Gizoni’s overall record for high school and college was 120-3-1. The three losses and the tie occurred in his freshman year of high school.Following his competitive days on the mat, Gizoni served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star for bravery in combat. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Washington-Greene, the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Waynesburg College Hall of Fame.
Memorial tributes may be made to Gleaners Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207.
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