Wikipedia

Lindsey Durlacher

Lindsey Durlacher (September 14, 1974 – June 4, 2011) was an American Greco-Roman wrestler, mixed martial arts fighter, and judo athlete whose career highlight was a bronze medal at the 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships at 55 kg.[1] He was among the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers in Illinois history.[2]

Lindsey Durlacher
Personal information
Born(1974-09-14)September 14, 1974
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 2011(2011-06-04) (aged 36)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Greco-Roman and Folkstyle
College teamIllinois
TeamUSA
Medal record
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Guangzhou 55 kg
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2003 Santo Domingo 55 kg
Silver medal – second place 2007 Rio de Janeiro 60 kg
Maccabiah Games
Gold medal – first place 1993 Tel Aviv
Gold medal – first place 1997 Tel Aviv
Gold medal – first place 2001 Jerusalem
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Illinois Fighting Illini
NCAA Division I Championships
Silver medal – second place 1997 Cedar Falls 118 lb

Early life

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Durlacher was Jewish, and was born in Evanston, Illinois.[3][4] He attended Riley Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove.[5]

Wrestling career

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He was a graduate of Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, IL, going 44–0–1 in his senior year, where he later coached and mentored students.[6] He was a two-time All-American at the University of Illinois.[6]

His career highlight was a bronze medal at the 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships at 121 pounds.[1] Durlacher was also the 1991 Wisconsin state champion, second in the 1991 Junior Nationals, 1992 Wisconsin high school champion (103 pounds), 1993 Maccabiah Games champion, third in the 1994–95 University Nationals, second in the 1996–97 University Nationals, second in the 1997 NCAA Championships, 1997 Maccabiah Games champion, 2001 Maccabiah Games champion, second in the 2002 and 2003 U.S. Nationals, silver medalist in the 2003 Pan American Games, second in the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Nationals, 2005 Maccabiah Games champion, second in the 2007 U.S. Nationals, silver medalist in the 2007 Pan American Games, a member of the 2007 American world team champions, second in the 2007 and 2008 U.S. Nationals, and third in the 2009 U.S. Nationals.[6][7][8]

Durlacher was also assistant coach at the University of Illinois, Northwestern, Northern Illinois University, and the U.S. Naval Academy.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

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Durlacher made his MMA debut on May 18, 2002 against Miguel Torres, who had a 19-0 record at the time, all finishes, and would go on to become WEC Bantamweight Champion. Durlacher lost by unanimous decision after a tough fight that went to a decision, the first of Torres' career.[9] Durlacher's second fight was on November 09, 2002, defeating Gjermund Larsen by unanimous decision. His third and final fight was on October 15, 2005, defeating Richard Hess by TKO in the first round.[10]

Judo career

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At the Maccabiah Games in 2009, Durlacher was the flag bearer for the US team and competed in judo at 60kg.[11] Durlacher lost his opening match to eventual champion Yoav Shemesh (ISR) by ippon.  In the bronze medal match, Durlacher lost by ippon to Felipe Kitadai (BRA), a fifth-place finisher at the 2008 Junior World Championships and future Olympic bronze medalist.[12][13]

Death

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Durlacher suffered a broken sternum in a snowmobile accident in February 2011.[14] Durlacher had surgery for the injury in June 2011.[5][14][15] He died at the age of 36 in his sleep on June 4, 2011, three days after his surgery, at his home in Denver, Colorado.[5]

Hall of Fame

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He is a member of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame.[6][7] In October 2016, Lindsey was inducted into the GrecoRoman Wrestling Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Minneapolis, MN.

Mixed martial arts record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–1 Richard Hess TKO (Submission to Punches) SF 13 - Rocky Mountain Sportfight October 15, 2005 1 2:46 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 1–1 Gjermund Larsen Decision (Unanimous) MIFTW - Prove Yourself November 9, 2002 2 0:00 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Loss 0-1 Miguel Torres Decision (Unanimous) IHC 4 - Armageddon May 18, 2002 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Maccabiah Games –". Forward. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  2. ^ "Lindsey Durlacher Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "Sports Shorts". Jewish Sports Review. July–August 2011.
  4. ^ Bob Wechsler (2008). Day by day in Jewish sports history. KTAV Publishing House. ISBN 9780881259698. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "World champion wrestler Lindsey Durlacher dies". Suntimes.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Wrestler dies: Lindsey Durlacher, decorated Illinois wrestler, dies at 36". Chicago Breaking Sports. June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "The Official Website of USA Wrestling". TheMat.com. September 14, 1974. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Former Illini wrestler Durlacher training for Maccabiah Games, 2012 Olympics". The Daily Illini. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  9. ^ Midiri, Michael (June 18, 2019). "World-class wrestlers who inconspicuously entered MMA". InterMat Wrestling. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  10. ^ "Lindsey Durlacher". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  11. ^ "History: The 2000s". Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  12. ^ "Aaron Cohen and Barry Friedberg Win Bronze at the Maccabiah Games". Teamusa.usoc.org. July 20, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  13. ^ "Judo Results 18th Games". Maccabiusa.com. July 19, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Abbott, Gary. "World medalist Lindsey Durlacher, 36, passed away unexpectedly today in Denver". TheMat.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  15. ^ "Lindsey Durlacher, decorated Illinois wrestler, dies at 36". Chicagobreakingsports.com. June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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