Body Bar, Inc., fitness company and official sponsor of USA Wrestling and a dedicated sponsor of the USA Women’s Wrestling program, announced today that founder and chairman Arno Niemand has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, earning the Order of Merit. He received the award on June 9 at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, OK.
The Order of Merit is presented to individuals other than athletes and coaches who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of wrestling. The winner is selected by a vote of the Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“This award is particularly meaningful to me, considering the great people who have received it before me, especially Richard Small, my hero, who received it last year,” stated Mr. Niemand.
During his acceptance speech, Mr. Niemand talked about wrestling at Cornell, where he graduated in 1956 and later was inducted into the Cornell Hall of Distinguished Wrestling Alumni. “There is a self-selection process in wrestling. People are weeded out. The struggle is everything,” he said. “I am very proud that I wrestled for Cornell.”
He went on to earn his MBA in 1958 from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Throughout his life, Niemand has continued to support the sport of wrestling, and in 2008 received the FILA Gold Star, which is the highest award given to an individual by the world governing body of wrestling.
As a strong proponent of women’s wrestling, Body Bar Inc. has sponsored the USA Wrestling Women's National Team since 2003.
“I was asked to be a sponsor for USA Wrestling,” Mr. Niemand said in his speech. “I asked about areas where they needed the most help. They said that the women’s wrestling program had no sponsor, and I thought that would be great. Our Body Bar products are used mostly by women in fitness programs. We have been very satisfied with the success they have had.”
“Arno Niemand's vision and generosity have given new opportunities to athletes that have never existed before,” commented Tricia Saunders, four-time World Wrestling champion, Olympic coach, and distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “His dedication to the development of young wrestlers has been essential to the expansion of the sport and to development of America's future champions. He is most deserving of the honor to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.”
Body Bar, Inc. (www.bodybar.com) provides quality products and innovative educational tools with a commitment to changing lives worldwide through functional fitness. Body Bar, Inc. is a sponsor of the USA Women’s Wrestling team and sponsors several wrestling tournaments throughout the US.
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June 19 2009
