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STILLWATER, Okla.- Former Cleveland State and United States' Olympic wrestler Matt Ghaffari has been honored and inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2013.
The announcement came this week from the Hall of Fame.
Ghaffari had a stellar career wrestling for the Vikings in the 1980's. He was one of three CSU wrestlers to qualify for the 1984 NCAA Championships when he qualified in the heavyweight weight class. He also still holds the Vikings' record for most pins in a single season with 14.
Following his career for Cleveland State Graffari, who excelled in Greco-Roman wrestling, represented the United States at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games in the super heavyweight division.
The Avon Lake, Ohio resident was able to earn a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and captured silver medals at the World Greco-Roman Championships in 1991 and 1998, and a bronze medal in 1995. He was a champion as well, winning the World Cup championships in 1991, '92, '94 and '95, and the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995.
Graffari is one of four distinguished members to be honored, joining Melvin Douglas, Dan Chandler, and Ron Gray.
The class will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at its annual Honors Weekend celebration scheduled for May 31 - June 1, 2013 in Stillwater, Okla.
