John Pesek
1976 - Greyhound Hall of Fame Inductee
Wrestling and Greyhound racing were John Pesek’s two great loves. Not one for doing anything halfway, Pesek excelled at both.
Born in Ravenna, Nebr., on Feb. 2, 1894, Pesek was first and foremost a wrestler. He became world famous as the “Tiger Man From Ravenna,” and in 1932 was awarded the world heavyweight championship.
Some say he never lost a match for 15 years. Others say it was 19 years–and still others say 29 years.
While wrestling in Australia in 1929, Pesek purchased the Greyhound star Just Andrew, who was to become the first great Aussie import in this country. Pesek would later import other top Australian Greyhounds, including Waterloo Cup winner Gangster. For years, Pesek had kennels racing at various tracks, and his Greyhounds often dominated the action at Spring and Fall National Meets.
Besides being a Greyhound Hall of Fame inductee, John Pesek has also been inducted into the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame. Pesek is the only owner to have two of his Greyhounds in the Greyhound Hall of Fame (Just Andrew and Gangster).
John Pesek passed away at his Ravenna home on March 12, 1978, at the age of 84.
