JD Bergman - No Turning Back

At 211 lbs., JD Bergman is a force to be reckoned with. Having wrestled for Ohio State in the past, he now throws down at a professional level. He’s attained an impressive career record, having snagged nine National Championship titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, becoming a three-time All-American for Ohio State and wrestling as a 2010 US World Team Member, earning the honorable title of “Freestyle Wrestler of the Year.” Continuing this impressive streak, Bergman is now a hopeful for the 2012 London Olympics. If all goes well, he’ll be able to add an Olympic gold medal to his killer record.

Born and raised in Ohio, Bergman has become one of the most recognizable names in Ohio wrestling history. In fact, wrestling runs in the Bergman family. JD’s father, James Bergman, wrestled and coached for Xavier University, and his uncle George coached for Oak Harbor High School where he coached JD, his two brothers and five other Bergman cousins. It’s fitting, then, that a Bergman should finally make it to the Olympic level.

Helping him reach this goal is the Ohio Regional Training Center. When the Ohio RTC was formed in 2008, Bergman was their first athlete. The Ohio RTC currently supports nine Olympic hopefuls with the goal of filling as many spots on the 2012 Olympic Team as possible. Bergman is buckling down and training harder than ever in the hopes of finally earning a spot on the US Olympic team next year. In our exclusive Q&A with Columbus’ local wrestling champion, we learn more about the man on the mat as he tells us what really gets him going and where he gets his inspiration and motivation.