L.A. native Aaron Pico excited about World Cup opportunity in his hometown
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
Teenager Aaron Pico has already compiled a 17-3 record and won two tournaments on the Senior level. USAW file photo.
LOS ANGELES – Aaron Pico is still just 18 years old.
But he’s already gone places in wrestling even he thought he wouldn’t be going at such a young age.
A Cadet World champion less than 20 months ago, Pico has landed a spot on the U.S. roster for this weekend’s World Cup. The event is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Forum in L.A.
Not only that, but the powerful American team will be wrestling in Pico’s backyard in Los Angeles. Pico grew up in this area, and still resides and trains in the L.A. area.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to wrestle in front of my friends and family here in L.A.,” Pico said. “It’s a great honor to be on a World Cup Team. Not a lot of people get to experience something like this. It’s great. Hopefully, I get to wrestle. I’m the No. 2 guy. I will be prepared and ready to go if they need me to wrestle. I just have to stay ready if I get that opportunity.”
Pico is the No. 2 U.S. wrestler at 65 kg/143 lbs. behind veteran Brent Metcalf, a three-time World Team member who went undefeated at last year’s World Cup.
Pico actually wrestled Metcalf in the AGON event one week ago in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Pico led 1-0 after the first period before Metcalf rallied for a 4-1 win.
Pico realizes he may not get on the mat to compete this weekend, but he knows he has to be ready if called on by U.S. coach Bruce Burnett.
Pico, a 2014 Junior World silver medalist, has already made a significant impact on the Senior level.
Pico is 17-3 on the Senior level over the past two years, winning two events and medaling in four of the five tournaments he’s competed in.
“Thinking about where I was two years ago, I never thought I would be in this position already,” he said. “It’s awesome to compete at this level and good to see how much I’ve progressed. I have an amazing coach in Valentin Kalika, who has given me a lot of great opportunities to improve. He’s done a great job with me. My confidence is great, and I know I’m up there with the best guys in the World. I just have to keep getting better.”
Pico has won the Henri Deglane Challenge in France and the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba this season. He already owns a win over 2013 World champion David Safaryan of Armenia and two-time U.S. World Team member Reece Humphrey.
“It’s definitely been a challenge for me going up to this level,” Pico said. “I’m going up against men now. It’s a good stepping stone for where I want to be. I’m getting a lot of experience. I’m not there yet, and I’ve got a long way to go. I’ve taken a few lumps. I’m learning a lot and it’s been an awesome experience to wrestle at this level.”
Pico has spent time training with 2014 Russian World champion Soslan Ramonov. Pico also recently trained with three-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia. Pico's coach, Valentin Kalika, is from Ukraine and grew up in the former Soviet Union.
“Tsargush is so fluid in his wrestling from every position,” Pico said. “He knows everything. He’s been around the best guys in the World in Russia and he’s a World champion. Looking at him and the way he trains was a great experience. He’s a great guy and he’s shown me a lot. I’ve been very fortunate that Valentin has all those connections in Russia. I want to be the best in the World, and I feel like training with them can help me get there.”
Pico is on a strong and loaded U.S. team that includes Olympic gold medalists Jordan Burroughs and Jake Varner, Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott and World medalist Tervel Dlagnev.
“It’s great to be around the guys on our team and see how they train and approach things,” Pico said. “They’re professionals and they obviously know how to compete and win at this level. It’s awesome being around them. It helps me up my game being around them, that’s for sure.”
Pico is a big fan of the dual-meet format used at the World Cup.
“I really like it – it’s a great event with the team aspect of it,” Pico said. “It’s a lot of fun being on Team USA and being able to cheer on my teammates. L.A. has a big Iranian community and they will bring a lot of fans, so it’s going to be fun. It’s an exciting format and a great atmosphere.”
Pico trained with the U.S. team prior to the World Cup last year in L.A. and took in everything he could while watching the event.
“I worked out with the team and tried to help out as much as I could,” Pico said. “Whatever they needed me to do, I did to help out the guys. I got a chance to watch the matches and had a chance to experience that. I’m comfortable with the arena and I’m competing close to home. It’s going to be a fun weekend. I feel really good and I’ll be ready to go if they need me.”
LOS ANGELES – Aaron Pico is still just 18 years old.
But he’s already gone places in wrestling even he thought he wouldn’t be going at such a young age.
A Cadet World champion less than 20 months ago, Pico has landed a spot on the U.S. roster for this weekend’s World Cup. The event is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Forum in L.A.
Not only that, but the powerful American team will be wrestling in Pico’s backyard in Los Angeles. Pico grew up in this area, and still resides and trains in the L.A. area.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to wrestle in front of my friends and family here in L.A.,” Pico said. “It’s a great honor to be on a World Cup Team. Not a lot of people get to experience something like this. It’s great. Hopefully, I get to wrestle. I’m the No. 2 guy. I will be prepared and ready to go if they need me to wrestle. I just have to stay ready if I get that opportunity.”
Pico is the No. 2 U.S. wrestler at 65 kg/143 lbs. behind veteran Brent Metcalf, a three-time World Team member who went undefeated at last year’s World Cup.
Pico actually wrestled Metcalf in the AGON event one week ago in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Pico led 1-0 after the first period before Metcalf rallied for a 4-1 win.
Pico realizes he may not get on the mat to compete this weekend, but he knows he has to be ready if called on by U.S. coach Bruce Burnett.
Pico, a 2014 Junior World silver medalist, has already made a significant impact on the Senior level.
Pico is 17-3 on the Senior level over the past two years, winning two events and medaling in four of the five tournaments he’s competed in.
“Thinking about where I was two years ago, I never thought I would be in this position already,” he said. “It’s awesome to compete at this level and good to see how much I’ve progressed. I have an amazing coach in Valentin Kalika, who has given me a lot of great opportunities to improve. He’s done a great job with me. My confidence is great, and I know I’m up there with the best guys in the World. I just have to keep getting better.”
Pico has won the Henri Deglane Challenge in France and the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba this season. He already owns a win over 2013 World champion David Safaryan of Armenia and two-time U.S. World Team member Reece Humphrey.
“It’s definitely been a challenge for me going up to this level,” Pico said. “I’m going up against men now. It’s a good stepping stone for where I want to be. I’m getting a lot of experience. I’m not there yet, and I’ve got a long way to go. I’ve taken a few lumps. I’m learning a lot and it’s been an awesome experience to wrestle at this level.”
Pico has spent time training with 2014 Russian World champion Soslan Ramonov. Pico also recently trained with three-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia. Pico's coach, Valentin Kalika, is from Ukraine and grew up in the former Soviet Union.
“Tsargush is so fluid in his wrestling from every position,” Pico said. “He knows everything. He’s been around the best guys in the World in Russia and he’s a World champion. Looking at him and the way he trains was a great experience. He’s a great guy and he’s shown me a lot. I’ve been very fortunate that Valentin has all those connections in Russia. I want to be the best in the World, and I feel like training with them can help me get there.”
Pico is on a strong and loaded U.S. team that includes Olympic gold medalists Jordan Burroughs and Jake Varner, Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott and World medalist Tervel Dlagnev.
“It’s great to be around the guys on our team and see how they train and approach things,” Pico said. “They’re professionals and they obviously know how to compete and win at this level. It’s awesome being around them. It helps me up my game being around them, that’s for sure.”
Pico is a big fan of the dual-meet format used at the World Cup.
“I really like it – it’s a great event with the team aspect of it,” Pico said. “It’s a lot of fun being on Team USA and being able to cheer on my teammates. L.A. has a big Iranian community and they will bring a lot of fans, so it’s going to be fun. It’s an exciting format and a great atmosphere.”
Pico trained with the U.S. team prior to the World Cup last year in L.A. and took in everything he could while watching the event.
“I worked out with the team and tried to help out as much as I could,” Pico said. “Whatever they needed me to do, I did to help out the guys. I got a chance to watch the matches and had a chance to experience that. I’m comfortable with the arena and I’m competing close to home. It’s going to be a fun weekend. I feel really good and I’ll be ready to go if they need me.”
