Marine Corps Wrestler Leads Team to Championship

Capt. Jamel Johnson has wrestled for much of his life, and he now steps into a leadership role as the coach of the All-Marine Wrestling Team, which will compete in the Armed Forces Wrestling Championship in 2026.

Johnson previously wrestled for the all-Marine Wrestling Team before its disbandment. He explained that some Marines even competed for the Navy during that period due to the lack of a sponsored Marine Corps team.

Driven to restore the team, Johnson championed its return and now serves as its coach.

A native of winston-Salem, Johnson’s military career began in the U.S. army before transitioning to the U.S.Marine Corps.While in the Army, he participated in the World class Athlete Program, which provides support for soldiers training to represent their country in various sports.

Johnson boasts an impressive wrestling record. He is a three-time national wrestling team member,achieving fourth place in the 2013 and 2014 U.S. Opens, and third place in the 2018 and 2019 events. He also secured third place at the 2018 World Team Trials.

His accomplishments extend to seventh place finishes in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic trials, a victory at the 2021 Pan American Championship, and wins at both the 2023 Beach Wrestling World Games trials and the 2023 U.S.M.C. Beach Wrestling Nationals.

Currently, Johnson focuses on preparing the All-Marine Wrestling Team for the Armed Forces Wrestling Championship in March.

“It is a really cool event,” he said. “I’ve competed at this event like 12 times. I have a thousand medals on my wall-a lot of silver medals, and a few gold.”

All Marines training for the tournament will travel to the U.S. Naval Academy.