Joe Betterman - Wrestling | United States

Big Achievements, Compact Package. While many people know that the Olympic games originated in ancient Greece, few realize that the oldest Olympic sport is Greco-Roman-style wrestling. Unlike the freestyle wrestling that dominates most amateur wrestling tournaments, Greco-Roman restricts holds to the waist and above. It's an intense, grueling sport that requires extensive skills, amazing strength, split-second reflexes and superb endurance.

Joe Betterman has already established his place as one of America's best Greco-Roman wrestlers. Now in his eighth year of wrestling, 5" 3" Joe competes in the lightest weight class -- up to 55 kilos, or 121 pounds -- but don't let his size mislead you: Joe is a two-time university wrestling champion, twice junior champion and a strong contender for the World Wrestling Championships team in 2006 and qualified for the 2008 Olympic team.

One of the youngest competitors at the 2004 Olympic trials, Joe trains 6-8 hours a day at the Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University, where his wrestling abilities merited a full scholarship. A Criminal Justice major, Joe hails from Chicago.