The National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF) and museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma has announced the Class of 2026 to be inducted by the Hall of Fame in the state of Georgia. The Georgia Chapter induction will be held on Saturday, May 2, at the Ramsey Conference Center on the campus of Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, George.
Eight individuals will be inducted as part of the class of 2026. Six will be inducted as “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” recipients in recognition of contribution at least twenty years to the sport of wrestling as a coach, referee or contributor. One individual will be inducted as Medal of Courage recipient and one person will be inducted as an Outstanding American.
Keith Johnson formerly of Roanoke and currently residing in Decatur, GA, is proudly one of the eight inductees. He is a 1988 graduate of William Fleming High School and was a 2x All County Wrestling Champion as a high school competitor. He furthered his education at Virginia State University (1994 graduate) where he served as team captain and helped capture the 1991 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference champions.
After college, Johnson was head coach at Columbia High School from 1995-2003; Southwest DeKalb from 2005-2023; during which time he coached fourteen individual wrestlers to Georgia High School Association state championships. He currently serves as Coordinator for high school and middle school wrestling in DeKalb County Schools.
Johnson authored “The Blindside Champ,” chronicling how wrestling helped in overcoming adversities in his person life. He is also the CEO of “We Are One,” an organization focused on supporting underserved communities through advocacy, political involvement and inspiriting entertainment.
