USA Team Trials

United States Finalizes Olympic Team, Maroulis Completes Comeback as Steveson Shines

By United World Wrestling Press

FORT WORTH, United States (April 3) – Helen Maroulis, two-time world champion and 2016 Olympic champion, defeated Jenna Burkert in their best-of-three series to make the United States starting squad for Tokyo 2021.

“I’m so blessed that I was able to come back, I honestly didn’t know if there was going to happen,” said Maroulis. “I’m just so grateful they are having the Games still.”

On the men’s side Gable Steveson wowed the audience with a dominating performance at 125kg, defeating two-time world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski in straight matches. Steveson, who did a full back layout after winning, told reporters that he “was coming for the world,” and was prepared to take gold in Tokyo.

Kyle Dake, a two-time world champion at 79kg, secured the starting Olympic spot at 74kg defeating Olympic champion and four-time world champion Jordan Burroughs in straight matches. 

In Greco-Roman a number of top seeds held their position, including 2017 world silver medalist Adam Coon who won his spot on Saturday, but will now focus on preparing to qualify the 130kg for the USA squad in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Interviews can be found, here.

The full list of winners for the 2021 US Olympic Team Trials: 

Men’s Freestyle

57kg: Thomas Gilman

Bout One – Gilman pin Arujau, 5:42
Bout Two – Gilman dec. Arujau, 2-2

*65kg: Jordan Oliver

Bout One – Oliver dec. McKenna, 3-0
Bout Two – Oliver dec. McKenna, 5-2

74kg: Kyle Dake

Bout One – Dake dec. Burroughs, 3-0
Bout Two – Dake dec. Burroughs, 3-2

86kg: David Taylor

Bout One – Taylor dec. Nickal, 4-0
Bout Two – Taylor dec. Nickal, 6-0

97kg: Kyle Snyder

Bout One – Snyder tech. fall Moore, 10-0
Bout Two – Snyder dec. Moore, 5-1

125kg: Gable Steveson

Bout One – Steveson tech. fall Gwiazdowski, 10-0
Bout Two – Steveson dec. Gwiazdowski, 10-4

Women’s Wrestling

50kg: Sarah Hildebrandt

Bout One – Hildebrandt tech. fall Anthony, 12-2
Bout Two – Hildebrandt tech. fall Anthony, 10-0

53kg: Jacarra Winchester

Bout One – Winchester dec. Heaton, 7-4
Bout Two – Winchester tech. fall Heaton, 12-2

57kg: Helen Maroulis

Bout One – Maroulis dec. Burkert, 5-3
Bout Two – Burkert dec. Maroulis, 6-5
Bout Three – Maroulis pin Burkert, 0:24

62kg: Kayla Miracle

Bout One – Miracle dec. Kilty, 8-4
Bout Two – Kilty dec. Miracle, 4-3
Bout Three – Miracle inj. dft. Kilty, 0:32

68kg: Tamyrah Mensah-Stock

Bout One – Mensah-Stock dec. Blades, 12-4
Bout Two – Mensah-Stock dec. Blades, 8-1

76kg: Adeline Gray

Bout One – Gray tech. fall Welker, 10-0
Bout Two – Gray tech. fall Welker, 11-0

Greco-Roman

60kg: Ildar Hafizov

Bout One – Hafizov dec. Mango, 7-0
Bout Two – Hafizov tech. fall Mango, 8-0

67kg: Alejandro Sancho

Bout One – Sancho dec. Coleman, 2-0
Bout Two – Sancho dec. Coleman, 3-1

*77kg: Jesse Porter

Bout One –Porter dec. Walsh, 8-1
Bout Two – Porter dec. Walsh, 7-7

87kg: John Stefanowicz

Bout One – Stefanowicz dec. Rau, 6-5
Bout Two – Stefanowicz dec. Rau. 2-1

97kg: G”Angelo Hancock

Bout One – Hancock tech. fall Amos, 8-0
Bout Two – Hancock tech. fall Amos, 8-0

*130kg: Adam Coon

Bout One –Coon tech. fall Schultz, 10-0
Bout Two – Coon dec. Schultz, 3-3

*Denotes weight categories yet to be qualified by the United States. The United States team trials are an almost certain indicator of the team to be presented in Tokyo, but is not official until the United States submits their entry list to the International Olympic Committee.

 

 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

ASDEG Workshop: IF experts discuss AI and new technologies in coaching

By United World Wrestling Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (December 4) -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new technologies in coaching topped the agenda of last week’s ASOIF Sport Development and Education Group (ASDEG) Workshop held in Lausanne. The meeting attracted more than 60 experts representing over 30 International Federations (IFs) to gain new insights, share best practice and learn from each other.

United World Wrestling Development Director and ASDEG Chair Deqa NIAMKEY attended the two-day workshop and highlighted the importance of the Workshop when she said:

"This edition of the ASDEG Workshop offered a diverse range of relatable topics to the IFs, focusing on the transformative potential of AI through inclusive education, innovation, and tailored applications for each IF’s unique needs," Niamkey said. "The Workshop serves as a valuable platform for networking, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and transferring knowledge, all aligned with ASOIF's overarching good governance strategy. I would like to extend my gratitude to ASOIF and their team for their remarkable efforts in organizing such initiatives that elevate our sports, and to the ASDEG for their dedication and invaluable contributions."

The annual meeting is action-oriented and the participants agreed to implement the following initiatives over the next 12 months:

- support IFs in increasing representation of Women Technical Officials and Coaches to meet IOC targets
- design a training program for executives on the strategic and economic value of sport development
- collate Return On Investment information across IFs – including trends and recommendations
- establish regular communication to facilitate cross-sport collaboration and knowledge-sharing
- equip IFs on incorporating technology in development programs and resources for education

"Embracing new technologies and AI is no longer optional; it is a necessity for the International Federations to thrive across all areas, including leadership, sports development and coaching," Stefan LJUTZKANOV, Chief Product Officer Business and Development at Sport ERP, said. "These tools hold the potential to accelerate growth, improve decision-making, and foster inclusivity within our global sports community. The key lies in identifying the gaps and proactively addressing them. By leveraging AI and emerging technologies, we can enhance performance and redefine the roles of coaches, leadership, and athletes, ensuring the future of sport is both innovative and equitable."

Other sessions focused on innovations in delivering educational content to athletes and coaches, specific challenges faced by IFs in this area, IF success stories, and the certification of coach licenses to attain global recognition. Sheila Stephens DESBANS from Olympic Solidarity also joined in the Workshop to present projects and related changes for IFs in the next quadrennium.