The three-time All-American and two-time Western Athletic Conference (WAC) individual champion won the 85kg weight class in Division D (51-55 years old), making him one of only two Americans to secure gold in the world event. Oliver won his opening bout to reach the semifinals where he defeated 10-time world champion Rahim Abofi of Iran. In the gold-medal bout, Oliver defeated Turkey's Bekir Sahinal for his world title at 187.25 pounds.
During his time in Tempe, Oliver captured a pair of WAC individual titles, taking gold at 150 pounds in both 1976 and 1977 with his first crown helping the Sun Devils to just their second team conference title in program history. On the national level, Oliver placed fifth at 150 pounds in the 1976 and 1977 NCAA Championships. He captured his third national accolade by finishing eighth at 158 pounds during the 1979 season to become the program's first three-time honoree.
A 1981 inductee into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame, Oliver finished his career with an 81-21-1 overall record.
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