Meyer Shapiro named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
by Savannah Asmann, USA Wrestling
Meyer Shapiro (Woodbine, Maryland/Spartan Combat RTC) was named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week on August 15.
Shapiro became the United States’ first gold medalist at the 2023 U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan. In the finals at 70 kg, Shapiro defeated 2021 U17 World bronze medalist Ali Rezaei Aghouzgeleh of Iran, 11-6.
Rezaei Aghouzgeleh was the first to put up points in the match, taking a quick 4-point lead over Shapiro. After the break, Shapiro stormed back with eight unanswered points to claim the lead. A pair of takedowns were exchanged in the final minute, but it was Shapiro that emerged as the winner.
Shapiro made his run through the 70 kg bracket with commanding wins as he outscored his opponents 36-4 leading into the finals. Two of his victories were by technical fall: his first round match against Yuma Tomiyama of Japan and semifinal match against U20 Pan-American silver medalist Julian George of Puerto Rico.
In 2021, Shapiro was a U17 World Championships gold medalist in Budapest, Hungary.
To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.