On the fateful day of January 26, 1996, the wrestling world was forever changed when Olympic gold medalist and esteemed wrestling coach, Dave Schultz, tragically lost his life at the hands of John du Pont. Schultz had been an integral part of the wrestling community, dedicating his expertise and guidance to aspiring athletes at the Foxcatcher Farm wrestling facility in Pennsylvania.
Kurt Angle, a name synonymous with wrestling excellence, shared his poignant recollection of the events that unfolded at Foxcatcher during an appearance on the "True Geordie" podcast. Angle had the privilege of being coached by Schultz before the untimely demise of the wrestling icon.
Angle reminisced about his rigorous training regimen at Foxcatcher, which consumed nearly seven months of his year. Being in close proximity to the facility due to its location in Pennsylvania, Angle frequently made the three to four-hour drive to hone his skills under Schultz's watchful eye.
In a heart-wrenching revelation, Angle disclosed that he had reached out to Schultz on that fateful day, leaving a message on his answering machine expressing his intent to train with him the following day. Little did Angle know that this would be their last communication, as he was left in disbelief upon hearing the news of Schultz's shooting and subsequent murder on CNN that very night.
Angle's Olympic Triumph
The loss of Schultz was a devastating blow to Angle, who was gearing up for the 1996 Olympics without an Olympic coach to guide him. Despite this setback, Schultz had imparted invaluable wisdom and techniques to Angle, which ultimately propelled him to victory.
Angle went on to secure a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the Olympics, a testament to the indomitable spirit and resilience instilled in him by Schultz. Dave Schultz's enduring legacy transcends the wrestling mat, as his influence paved the way for Kurt Angle's transformation into one of the most iconic professional wrestlers of all time.
Angle's journey culminated in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, a fitting tribute to a remarkable career forged in the crucible of Foxcatcher and fueled by the enduring memory of his mentor, Dave Schultz.