Chun reaches Schultz Memorial final with eyes on making a third Olympic Team in April
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by Joe Mehling, USA Wrestling
Clarissa Chun is in control against Nicole Woody in her opening 48 kg match at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors.
When you first look Clarissa Chun’s USA Wrestling bio page, it can be overwhelming.
The word “champion” appears 27 times dating back to the 1998-1999 Hawaii high school state championships. She has been an Olympic bronze medalist, World champion, three time Pan American champion and two-time U.S. Open champion, among many other accolades.
However, Chun has now set her sights on something that has never been written on any bio page for a female wrestle from the United States: Three-time Olympic Team member.
“I am here and going after it again,” Chun said, now 34 years old. “Everyone always says ‘I can’t believe you are still doing it,’ but this is it. After this year, it’s done. You always see the stories like Peyton Manning at his age and a lot of fighters that battle into their later years. Wrestling is tough. I would definitely feel the sense of accomplishment if my hand gets raised in Iowa City at the Olympic Trials.”
Chun was fifth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games. The only other American woman with two Olympic berths is Ali Bernard, who was a teammate with Chun in both Beijing and London.
While Chun tends to downplay her quest for a third Olympic team, there are many others who are aware of her historic quest, with the highest level of respect.
“It would be unprecedented,” said Sunkist Kids women’s coach Kevin Black. “She has the opportunity to be a difference maker well beyond her competitive years. If she was able to make an Olympic Team for a third time, she would be the face of women’s wrestling and probably the most important figure in the history of women’s wrestling in the U.S.”
The 2008 World champion has begun her quest into the history books with an appearance at the 18th Annual Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament. Things have been smooth sailing so far. Chun has reached the finals for the fourth time in her career with a pin fall and two tech falls.
“I have just been trying to prepare mentally for my matches,” Chun said. “I want to leave it all out there and have fun. I just want to get some competition in. It is hard to train everyday and not have anything on the schedule in the short term. I have been working on everything. This is an Olympic year so I have to sharpen things up and make sure everything is fine tuned.”
“Oh wow,” Chun said. “That was my first ever Schultz tournament and I had just started wrestling freestyle. I don’t remember winning it at all; I am surprised I won it. All I remember coming here with my Missouri Valley Team and feeling the burn from the altitude.”
Sitting in Chun’s corner for this year’s Schultz Memorial, Black says he has noticed a heightened focus in Chun that her competitors better be ready for.
“Clarissa is a veteran in every sense of the word,” Black said. “She prepares well and is mentally engaged throughout every event. With it being an Olympic year and having all the experience she does, she is even more focused. Clarissa just has the knack for being her best when it matters most.”
Despite the many accolades and medals, Chun is not yet satisfied with what she has accomplished on the mat and believes that she can continue to be successful because of her experience.
“When I think of success I think of more,” Chun said. “Sure, I have had some success throughout the years but it hasn’t been consistently on top where I want to be. I love the challenges that wrestling puts me through. I have been the underdog and the target. It is always interesting to adapt to those type of situations and it makes me a better wrestler. Battling through those situations allows the success to happen.”
We will see what happens next in the finals as she takes on Victoria Anthony in a rematch of the 2015 finals at the Schultz Memorial, won by Anthony. Her road to an Olympic berth could include Anthony, along with two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe, who is currently No. 1 at the weight class. Chun has a win over both Anthony and Lampe within the last year, something that should give her confidence in the battles ahead.
Chun is hoping for one more year of success. One more chance at Olympic glory and one more chance to represent her country on the biggest stage.
“It would be amazing,” Chun said. “I just have to take it one match at a time though. All I can do is wrestle my best and see what happens.”
When you first look Clarissa Chun’s USA Wrestling bio page, it can be overwhelming.
The word “champion” appears 27 times dating back to the 1998-1999 Hawaii high school state championships. She has been an Olympic bronze medalist, World champion, three time Pan American champion and two-time U.S. Open champion, among many other accolades.
However, Chun has now set her sights on something that has never been written on any bio page for a female wrestle from the United States: Three-time Olympic Team member.
“I am here and going after it again,” Chun said, now 34 years old. “Everyone always says ‘I can’t believe you are still doing it,’ but this is it. After this year, it’s done. You always see the stories like Peyton Manning at his age and a lot of fighters that battle into their later years. Wrestling is tough. I would definitely feel the sense of accomplishment if my hand gets raised in Iowa City at the Olympic Trials.”
Chun was fifth at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games. The only other American woman with two Olympic berths is Ali Bernard, who was a teammate with Chun in both Beijing and London.
While Chun tends to downplay her quest for a third Olympic team, there are many others who are aware of her historic quest, with the highest level of respect.
“It would be unprecedented,” said Sunkist Kids women’s coach Kevin Black. “She has the opportunity to be a difference maker well beyond her competitive years. If she was able to make an Olympic Team for a third time, she would be the face of women’s wrestling and probably the most important figure in the history of women’s wrestling in the U.S.”
The 2008 World champion has begun her quest into the history books with an appearance at the 18th Annual Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament. Things have been smooth sailing so far. Chun has reached the finals for the fourth time in her career with a pin fall and two tech falls.
“I have just been trying to prepare mentally for my matches,” Chun said. “I want to leave it all out there and have fun. I just want to get some competition in. It is hard to train everyday and not have anything on the schedule in the short term. I have been working on everything. This is an Olympic year so I have to sharpen things up and make sure everything is fine tuned.”
Chun has won the Schultz Memorial before back in 2000, the first year there was a women’s division here. However, she doesn’t remember doing so.
“Oh wow,” Chun said. “That was my first ever Schultz tournament and I had just started wrestling freestyle. I don’t remember winning it at all; I am surprised I won it. All I remember coming here with my Missouri Valley Team and feeling the burn from the altitude.”
Sitting in Chun’s corner for this year’s Schultz Memorial, Black says he has noticed a heightened focus in Chun that her competitors better be ready for.
“Clarissa is a veteran in every sense of the word,” Black said. “She prepares well and is mentally engaged throughout every event. With it being an Olympic year and having all the experience she does, she is even more focused. Clarissa just has the knack for being her best when it matters most.”
Despite the many accolades and medals, Chun is not yet satisfied with what she has accomplished on the mat and believes that she can continue to be successful because of her experience.
“When I think of success I think of more,” Chun said. “Sure, I have had some success throughout the years but it hasn’t been consistently on top where I want to be. I love the challenges that wrestling puts me through. I have been the underdog and the target. It is always interesting to adapt to those type of situations and it makes me a better wrestler. Battling through those situations allows the success to happen.”
We will see what happens next in the finals as she takes on Victoria Anthony in a rematch of the 2015 finals at the Schultz Memorial, won by Anthony. Her road to an Olympic berth could include Anthony, along with two-time World bronze medalist Alyssa Lampe, who is currently No. 1 at the weight class. Chun has a win over both Anthony and Lampe within the last year, something that should give her confidence in the battles ahead.
Chun is hoping for one more year of success. One more chance at Olympic glory and one more chance to represent her country on the biggest stage.
“It would be amazing,” Chun said. “I just have to take it one match at a time though. All I can do is wrestle my best and see what happens.”
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