24 Facts About Leroy Kemp

Leroy Kemp started wrestling in only the 9th grade at Chardon High School, in Chardon, Ohio and by the end of his high school career had compiled two undefeated seasons, while winning two Ohio state titles.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Leroy Kemp was one of only four American Junior wrestlers that recorded a dual meet win against a tough Junior Soviet team on their Ohio stop of an eight city United States tour, which resulted in 80 total matches being contested.

Leroy Kemp was America's first three-time World Champion, winning his first title in 1978 at age 21, establishing him as the youngest American world champion ever, a distinction he held for 30 years.

Leroy Kemp was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 1990.

Leroy Kemp is the subject of a film documentary, entitled Wrestled Away: The Lee Leroy Kemp Story, on his life scheduled for theatrical release Summer 2019, and is the co-founder and President of LKNutrition, a nutritional supplement company.

Leroy Kemp was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a single mother, who eventually put him up for adoption.

Leroy Kemp was adopted by Leroy Percy Kemp and his wife Jessie.

Leroy Kemp was their only child, and after the adoption they legally changed his name from Darnell Freeman to Leroy P Kemp, Jr.

Leroy Kemp started for Wisconsin as a true freshman and finished second at the Big Ten tournament at 150 pounds.

Leroy Kemp reached the finals of the 1975 NCAA tournament and lost a split referees decision to Chuck Yagla of the University of Iowa.

March 10,2010 Inside Wisconsin Sports Article,"The Day Lee Leroy Kemp Beat the Great Dan Gable", by Mike Beacom.

Leroy Kemp had a 96-match winning streak and a 110-match unbeaten streak.

Leroy Kemp held that distinction for 30 years until Henry Cejudo won the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Leroy Kemp won a gold medal at the 1979 and 1983 Pan American games.

Leroy Kemp was the US freestyle champion for five straight years from 1979 through 1983.

Leroy Kemp retired in 1984 after finishing second at the US Olympic trials.

Leroy Kemp was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 1990.

Leroy Kemp earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin.

Leroy Kemp spent the first several years of his post athletic career working in the field of marketing for major corporations.

Leroy Kemp is the subject of a film documentary on his life released in 2019.

Leroy Kemp is the co-founder and President of Forza Technologies, a nutritional supplement company.

Leroy Kemp remains active in wrestling on a broad scale, teaching and mentoring youth and high school level wrestlers at his wrestling academy.

Leroy Kemp has three children, two sons and a daughter.

Leroy Kemp's youngest child, Adam Kemp, is a successful wrestler.