Bob Anderson is an Americanwrestler and coach. Anderson was born in 1943 in Oakland, California and is from Redondo Beach, California. He attended South High School where he placed 3rd his junior year, and finishing as a state champ his senior year. He won the 1968 Western Regional Olympic Trials and went on to win the 1968 Olympic trials. Anderson attended El Camino College where he won state as a sophomore had a record-breaking 1 loss the whole season. Anderson ended up transferring to Adams State College, he then became a 2 time NAIA champion, and was Rocky Mountain Champion. Anderson was an NCAA All American. Anderson competed and won in the 1968 Olympic Trials in Greco Roman style and was alternate on the 1968 Olympic Team. He also wrestled freestyle. He wrestled Greco Roman in the 1971 Pan American Games, and in Sambo style in August 1979 at the 1979 Pan American Team Championships in San Diego. He coached and competed in the Pan American games in 1978, earning an individual and a coaching championship. Anderson coached 2 national teams in Sambo, placing 2nd and 3rd. In 1996 Anderson had trained Rolls Gracie, whom he would teach techniques like the Americana Arm Bar. He was a 1996 US Olympic Team Wrestling Coach. In 2003, he became the World Masters Wrestling Champion at 211 lbs. Anderson has also trained Rulon Gardner, Dan Henderson, Heath Sims, and Randy Couture.
In college, Anderson attended El Camino College where he won state his sophomore year and had a record breaking 1 loss all season. After winning state Anderson transferred to Adam St. College. He was a 2-time NAIA champion and also was chosen as a division 1 all American.
Freestyle Wrestling
In 1968, Anderson began his Freestyle wrestling career when he won the western regional Olympic trials in Greco-Roman. In 1971 he went on to place 2nd at the Greco-Roman world team trials. Anderson last competed in the 1979 Pan American games, once again he placing 2nd. Although Anderson never became a world champion at the senior level, he said that he had no regrets, and his accomplishments were well worth it.
Coaching career
Shortly after his fall in the world championships, he became a coach. He coached his first competition in Mexico City leading his Olympic team to a world championship. 1978, Anderson traveled to Brazil also leading 2 national teams to victory in the Sambo tournament. 1984 Anderson wasn’t as successful but was an assistant coach for a 3rd placing national wrestling team in the Olympics held in Roman, this would be his last coaching event. In 2003, Anderson was a master world champion at 211 lbs. He is a long time champion, coach, and mentor. Every other year Anderson hosts a camp for wrestlers.
