Mark Schultz

Grew Up… in a broken home. Mark’s parents divorced when he was two years old. He moved around a lot as a kid and his older brother Dave served as both a father figure and his best friend.

Living… in borderline poverty, subsisting primarily on fast food and instant ramen. He drives a beat-up hatchback and his apartment is modestly furnished, with the exception of the shelf that holds all his wrestling trophies and medals.

Profession… wrestler. Mark was an all-American at the University of Oklahoma and won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics (as did his brother Dave) and a gold at the ‘85 World Championships. He trains for the ’87 Worlds and ’88 Olympics at Wexler College, where Dave coaches. His training consists of two-a-days: conditioning and weights in morning, technique and wrestling practice in evening.

Interests… Mattel electronic football and watching MMA.

Relationship Status… non-existent.

Challenge… winning an international wrestling competition. Mark has accepted an invitation from lonely, eccentric, and obscenely wealthy John du Pont to train at the du Pont estate in Pennsylvania, where he has built a state-of-the-art wrestling center. Du Pont assumes the role of Mark’s mentor, a relationship Mark embraces. As he prepares for international competition, Mark is no longer training only for himself – he’s training for du Pont.

Personality… brooding, focused, and solitary. Mark’s identity IS wrestling. He is extremely proud of his Olympic gold medal as a symbol of his devotion to the sport. Mark has trouble expressing his emotions. He is a man of few words. He generally keeps Dave at arm’s length despite Dave’s warm offerings of hugs and moral support. Mark’s emotions tend to come out when he looks in the mirror, whether pumping himself up or hitting himself out of self-anger.