Ravenna in Buffalo County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
John Pesek
World Champion Wrestler
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2021
1. John Pesek Marker
John Pesek
Ravenna, Nebraska
1894-1978
World Champion Wrestler
Recognized September 13, 1937
This statue made possible by
grant from
Nebraska Arts Council
citizen donations
and Ravenna Chamber of Commerce
Dedicated May 26, 1978
Erected 1978.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is September 13, 1937.
Location. 41° 1.632′ N, 98° 54.751′ W. Marker is in Ravenna, Nebraska, in Buffalo County. Marker is at the intersection of Grand Avenue (State Highway 68) and East Syracuse Street, on the right when traveling north on Grand Avenue. The marker and sculpture are located beside the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 Grand Avenue, Ravenna NE 68869, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Post South Loup Fork (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pleasanton Branch Union Pacific Railroad (approx. 1.4 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 1.4 miles away); Solon H. Borglum (approx. 10.4 miles away); Austin (approx. 12.1 miles away).
Also see . . .
this page online
John Pesek was an American professional wrestler and greyhound racing dog breeder. Nicknamed "The Nebraska Tiger Man" for his ferocity, aggression and catlike dexterity, Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medallists Robin Reed and Russell Vis both regarded Pesek as the greatest wrestler they ever met. He was a one-time National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion.(Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)By the end of the 1920s, Pesek had begun turning his focus towards racing greyhounds, and on 800 acres of his Nebraska farm he built up one of the nation's leading stables. He won several national titles, and the pedigree of one of his greatest dogs, Australian-born "Just Andrew", could be found in 95 percent of American greyhound stock by 1975. A bronze statue of Pesek with two greyhounds was being created at the time of his death, and it was posthumously unveiled in front of Ravenna Bank on May 28, 1978.
2. John Pesek (National Wrestling Hall of Fame). Excerpt:
Called "The Nebraska Tigerman" for his aggressive style, he won numerous titles and was declared heavyweight champion of the world by several different groups(Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)in the 1930s. He toured Australia and most of the States, drawing large crowds all over. John Pesek was almost as well known for his dogs and outdoors lifestyle as for his wrestling prowess. He raised Greyhounds and his dogs won numerous national titles. He is a member of the Greyhound National Hall of Fame. When John Pesek passed away in 1978, at the age of 84 he was already considered a legend in the sport he loved so much.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 20212. John Pesek Marker & Sculpture
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 11, 2021
3. John Pesek Marker & Sculpture
Looking southeast. Marker is near the northwest corner of the bank building.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
