Missouri wrestling alumnus Ben Askren has been named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Askren, who joins fellow former Missouri wrestler J’den Cox in the Hall, will be honored at the 49th Honors Weekend scheduled for June 5 and 6, 2026, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Brian Smith, head coach of Missouri Tigers Men’s Wrestling, commented on Askren’s selection: “I am very proud of Ben and everything he represents. He is a great ambassador for the sport of wrestling, from his accomplishments at Mizzou or the U.S. Olympic Team, to how he has become the model club coach throughout the country. Ben has always lived it right, and even with his mental health, he continues to motivate and teach people how to live it the right way. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment, making it into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.”
John Harris III, chairman of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors, stated: “The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is honored to announce the Class of 2026, an illustrious group whose enduring contributions exemplify the foundational principles of our sport. Every Hall of Fame class is special, but this one is even more so as it includes Lee Roy Smith, who will be retiring next year after more than 20 years of superb leadership as executive director of the Hall of Fame. These individuals have demonstrated exemplary leadership, discipline, and commitment, both on and off the mat, thereby advancing the legacy and cultural integrity of wrestling.”
Askren’s career at Missouri included two national championships and four NCAA finals appearances. He competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics after finishing as runner-up during his first two collegiate seasons. As a junior and senior at Missouri he won 87 consecutive matches—a streak ranking among NCAA history’s top ten—and captured back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.
His career record stands at 153-7 with 93 wins by fall—most in program history—and an NCAA record for pinning 18 straight opponents in first periods. Askren was awarded both the Dan Hodge Trophy (given annually to college wrestling’s top athlete) and Wade Schalles Award (for best pinner) in both 2006 and 2007.
He was also recognized as Missouri’s first four-time All-American wrestler and its first Olympian competitor. In addition to being named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2006 NCAA Championships he claimed three Big 12 Conference titles while earning All-Academic honors all four years.
After college Askren co-founded Askren Wrestling Academy with his brother Max Askren and high school coach John Mesenbrink in 2011; since then AWA has produced over one hundred sixty state champions in Wisconsin high school competition along with three NCAA Division I champions including Keegan O’Toole from Missouri.
In June 2025 Askren underwent a double lung transplant following a diagnosis with necrotizing pneumonia—a rare illness that severely damages lung tissue—and was released from hospital care on July 22 to continue recovery at home.