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Sam Parker

About the book

Sam Parker: the highs and lows

Sam Parker: war hero’s son, Yarraville larrikin, slaughterman, Olympian & wrestling coach. Here he shares his life experiences, trials and defining moments as though you are with Sam in his travels and alongside him in the competition bouts. Though, there have been many of these moments in his long, successful career. Sam Parker is worldly renowned for coaching his wrestlers to wins and great moments that will forever define Australian wrestling history.

From his tough childhood upbringing to working as a slaughterman in the abattoirs, Sam’s life, in essence cannot be so easily defined as “wrestling legend”. His legacy and nature have touched and inspired so many. However, at times loathed by others whom he upset along the way because he refused to conform. Sam did it his way.

In his book, Sam shares both “the highs and the lows”. The sweat, grit and truth in these pages, reveal the heart of a man whose determination & single mindedness helped put Australian wrestlers on the international map.

In the foreword, wrestler, Lila Ristevska says, "He's the one that breaks the rules. He's a pioneer. He's the one who tells you what needs to happen."

Tribute from Coach Mike Jones, Simon Fraser University, Canada says Sam had an unshakeable belief that Australian wrestlers given the proper training could win at the world level. Sam travelled the world to garner coaching skills and competitive opportunities for his wrestlers. It became his obsession.

The final pages include many tributes, including the following:

• American coach & wrestling all-time great – Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, Olympic coach & coach of University of Iowa, Dan Gable;

• Executive Director, USA Wrestling; - Rich Bender

• National and Oceania Australian Olympic Committee President, - John Coates AC.

• Founder, Beat the Streets, Toronto, Canada - John Park

It is a soulful, inspiring story portraying the raw realities of Sam's experience with humility and humour.