Early Life
Couture was born in Everett, Washington, to Ed and Sharan Couture. He wrestled at Alderwood Middle School in Lynnwood, Washington, then moved on to Lynnwood High School, where he won a State Championship during his senior year in wrestling. He served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1988, attaining the rank of Sergeant in the 101st Airborne, where he "wrestled and did a little boxing." He coached at Oregon State University.
Upon discharge, Couture became a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996), a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials, a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I All-American and a two-time NCAA Division I runner-up at Oklahoma State University. In 1992, he was the Division I runner up at 190 pounds, coming in second after Mark Kerr. He was working as a wrestling coach when he decided to compete in MMA.
Read more about this topic: Randy Couture
Famous quotes related to early life:
“... business training in early life should not be regarded solely as insurance against destitution in the case of an emergency. For from business experience women can gain, too, knowledge of the world and of human beings, which should be of immeasurable value to their marriage careers. Self-discipline, co-operation, adaptability, efficiency, economic management,—if she learns these in her business life she is liable for many less heartbreaks and disappointments in her married life.”
—Hortense Odlum (1892–?)