Abraham Lincoln was a champion wrestler who lost only one out of 300 matches.

In 1831, Lincoln lived in New Salem, Illinois, where he faced his toughest challenge. He wrestled Jack Armstrong, the leader of a tough local gang. Lincoln won the match, which earned him huge respect from everyone in town. He practiced a style called 'catch-as-catch-can' wrestling, which is similar to the freestyle wrestling we see today.Lincoln's only known loss happened in 1832 during the Black Hawk War. He was beaten by a soldier named Hank Thompson in a match between different army groups. Even with that one loss, Lincoln's record was incredible. He wrestled for about 12 years and became a local legend for his strength and fairness.The National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, added Lincoln to their list of 'Outstanding Americans' in 1992. They believe the discipline and courage he learned on the wrestling mat helped him lead the United States later in life. His long reach gave him a physical advantage because he could grab his opponents before they could get close to him. This strength helped him survive the long, stressful days of being President during the Civil War.