John Allan Peterson (born October 22, 1948) is an American former wrestler and Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling.

[1] Peterson grew up in Comstock, Wisconsin, attending nearby Cumberland High School before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1971.

[2][3] He would place fifth at the 1971 NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships as a collegiate wrestler.

Peterson competed in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Olympics, earning a silver medal in the 82 kg weight class.

In 1986, Peterson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.