“Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story” (2019) / Z-View

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Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story (2019)

Director:  Riley Hanlon

Stars: Lee Kemp, William Baldwin (voice), Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Urijah Faber and Dan Gable.

Tagline: A World Champion Wrestler on the podium of life with one mission despite devastating setbacks; keep WINNING GOLD.

The Plot…

Lee Kemp was arguably the greatest amateur wrestler ever.  He was was a four-time NCAA Division I National finalist.  He was a National Champion his sophomore, junior and senior years.  His freshman year (freshman!) he came in 2nd thanks to a split decision.  He lost just three times during his entire collegiate wrestling career (and all of those losses came his freshman year).

Kemp was America’s first three time World Champion.  He was also America’s youngest World Champion at that time. Kemp was also a four-time World Cup Champion and a 7-time United States Freestyle National Champion.  Olympic Gold Medalist came out of retirement to wrestle Lee Kemp and Kemp won.  Going into the 1980 Olympics, Lee Kemp was favored to win a Gold Medal.

Then Russia invaded Afghanistan.  President Carter decreed that the U.S. would not participate in the Olympics in protest since they were to be held in Moscow.  Kemp’s dream of Olympic Gold was crushed.  Everything he had worked for was taken away with that decision.

Then life got worse.  This is Lee Kemp’s story.  One of a rise to the top and then a hard fall.  But like every true champion, Lee Kemp found a way back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When I was in high school the two main amateur wrestlers known to the world were Dan Gable, the 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist and Lee Kemp.  Gable lost just once in his college career.  He was a legend.  Then along came Lee Kemp.  I knew that Gable had gone on to become a great college wrestling coach.  I never knew what became of Lee Kemp.  I’m glad Wrestled Away… The Lee Kemp Story tells us.

On a side note, when I was in tenth grade, I attended a Dan Gable wrestling camp.  Gable was impressive.  The highlight for me was when he picked me out of dozens in attendance to come on the mat with him for the demonstration.

Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story (2019) rates 5 of 5 stars.