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5 POINT MOVE: Preview of this weekend's Thor Masters Greco-Roman International in Denmark
by Tim Hands, 5PM
Randon Miranda tosses an opponent in 2019. TheMat.com File Photo.
One of Europe’s grandest Senior international events begins today in Denmark with three United States Greco-Roman athletes taking the mat. Thor Masters 2021, being held, as always, in Nykobing Falster, annually welcomes in many of the region’s top competitors.
Those who enjoy Greco are often very much locked into what goes on at Thor Masters because, no matter what, they get their money’s worth. The traditional “Nordic System” format is in play this weekend, which guarantees all combatants at least two matches.
Except, there are two distinctive differences this time around.
1 -- it is happening in September instead of the winter.
2 -- the Senior World Championships in Oslo, Norway is less than a month away.
As such, Thor Masters is ringing a louder bell in ‘21, even with the absence of several nations due to various scheduling conflicts pertaining to periodization for the Worlds.
The US is coming locked and loaded with a trio of young, skilled athletes -- two of whom have danced this waltz before.
At 60 kilograms is Randon Miranda (Rise RTC), who placed fourth at the World Team Trials last weekend. Miranda is an experienced overseas competitor who appeared on two Junior World squads as well as the ‘18 U23 World Team. He is also on the precipice of a breakthrough on the Senior level. Miranda claimed his first National title as a Senior this past April, and offers an attack style big on finesse and threatening counter-attacks in order to pick up points. And, the California native has something else working in his favor today and tomorrow: when Miranda made his Thor debut in ‘18, he blazed to the finals and eventually finished with silver.
Northern Michigan University’s Dominic Damon competed at Thor Masters two seasons ago just months after having appeared in the Cadet World Championships. Damon -- a Junior World Team member in ‘21, as well -- had not graduated high school yet when he decided to test himself in what is an exceptionally-challenging tournament. He left Denmark with an 0-2 slate but a lot has changed since that first run in ‘19.
Overseas competition is nothing new to Damon’s fellow ‘21 Junior World Teamer Billy Sullivan (55 kg, LOG-LV), although this weekend will represent a step up the ladder for him. Sullivan has earned multiple medals in Europe across his age-group travels and figures to crack into the mix heading into the decisive rounds of the tournament tomorrow.
Thor Masters ‘21 starts Friday (today) at 3:00 pm local time in Nykobing Falster, Denmark (9:00 am ET) and continues throughout the day on Saturday. Full schedule is below.
Thor Masters 2021
Nykobing Falster, DEN
Friday, September 17 (all times +6 hours ET)
3:00pm-6:00pm -- Preliminary rounds
Saturday, September 18
10:30am-3:30pm -- Preliminary rounds
3:30pm-4:00pm -- Bronze medal matches
4:30pm-6:00pm -- Finals
Fans can watch for FREE via https://thormasters.com/stream/
USA Greco-Roman Athletes
55 kg: Billy Sullivan (LOG-LV)
60 kg: Randon Miranda (Rise RTC)
67 kg: Dominic Damon (NMU/NTS)
RESULT UPDATES WILL FOLLOW.
One of Europe’s grandest Senior international events begins today in Denmark with three United States Greco-Roman athletes taking the mat. Thor Masters 2021, being held, as always, in Nykobing Falster, annually welcomes in many of the region’s top competitors.
Those who enjoy Greco are often very much locked into what goes on at Thor Masters because, no matter what, they get their money’s worth. The traditional “Nordic System” format is in play this weekend, which guarantees all combatants at least two matches.
Except, there are two distinctive differences this time around.
1 -- it is happening in September instead of the winter.
2 -- the Senior World Championships in Oslo, Norway is less than a month away.
As such, Thor Masters is ringing a louder bell in ‘21, even with the absence of several nations due to various scheduling conflicts pertaining to periodization for the Worlds.
The US is coming locked and loaded with a trio of young, skilled athletes -- two of whom have danced this waltz before.
At 60 kilograms is Randon Miranda (Rise RTC), who placed fourth at the World Team Trials last weekend. Miranda is an experienced overseas competitor who appeared on two Junior World squads as well as the ‘18 U23 World Team. He is also on the precipice of a breakthrough on the Senior level. Miranda claimed his first National title as a Senior this past April, and offers an attack style big on finesse and threatening counter-attacks in order to pick up points. And, the California native has something else working in his favor today and tomorrow: when Miranda made his Thor debut in ‘18, he blazed to the finals and eventually finished with silver.
Northern Michigan University’s Dominic Damon competed at Thor Masters two seasons ago just months after having appeared in the Cadet World Championships. Damon -- a Junior World Team member in ‘21, as well -- had not graduated high school yet when he decided to test himself in what is an exceptionally-challenging tournament. He left Denmark with an 0-2 slate but a lot has changed since that first run in ‘19.
Overseas competition is nothing new to Damon’s fellow ‘21 Junior World Teamer Billy Sullivan (55 kg, LOG-LV), although this weekend will represent a step up the ladder for him. Sullivan has earned multiple medals in Europe across his age-group travels and figures to crack into the mix heading into the decisive rounds of the tournament tomorrow.
Thor Masters ‘21 starts Friday (today) at 3:00 pm local time in Nykobing Falster, Denmark (9:00 am ET) and continues throughout the day on Saturday. Full schedule is below.
Thor Masters 2021
Nykobing Falster, DEN
Friday, September 17 (all times +6 hours ET)
3:00pm-6:00pm -- Preliminary rounds
Saturday, September 18
10:30am-3:30pm -- Preliminary rounds
3:30pm-4:00pm -- Bronze medal matches
4:30pm-6:00pm -- Finals
Fans can watch for FREE via https://thormasters.com/stream/
USA Greco-Roman Athletes
55 kg: Billy Sullivan (LOG-LV)
60 kg: Randon Miranda (Rise RTC)
67 kg: Dominic Damon (NMU/NTS)
RESULT UPDATES WILL FOLLOW.