Beach World Championships in Croatia continue, with three U.S. Senior entries on Sunday
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by Rusty Davidson, Special to TheMat.com
Photo: The beach in Fazana, Croatia.
Fazana is an ancient city on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. It was once the home of Yugoslavian dictator, Marshall Tito. This weekend, it is the home of United World Wrestling’s 2016 Beach Wrestling World Championship.
After two full days of competition, traditional Beach Wrestling powers Iran, Norway and Greece continue to dominate through the Cadet and Junior events. Host Croatia has put in an impressive performance, while Austria has made an impact.
The UWW Cadet Division competed all day, Friday. The men’s Cadet division was narrowly won by host, Croatia. Iran and Austria earned the Silver and Bronze Team Cups. In the Women’s Cadet competition, Greece won the Team Championship. Norway and Croatia took Silver and Bronze.
Saturday saw the UWW Juniors Division take to the sand. After a slight rain delay, the Juniors saw a beautiful day of sun on the Adriatic Sea. As evening fell, Greece won their second Women’s Team Championship in as many days. Croatia and Norway followed. Iran dominated the Men’s Juniors event, followed by Croatia and Greece.
Sunday will see the most populated and popular event, as the Seniors enter the seven meter ring, in the sand.
The United States is represented by three athletes in the Senior division. Mark Burkart of Alaska, will compete in the 70 kg (154 lb) class. Jeff Jacobs, of New Jersey, enters the 80 kg (176 lb) class. Dennis Cannon of Virginia, will represent the U.S. in the +100 kg (unlimited) class. All three are seeking their first Beach World medal.
Beach wrestling is a growing sport on the world level. The USA seeks its first Beach World champion. Former U.S. Marine Corps Greco-Roman star Donovan DePatto is the only American to reach a Beach World finals, when he captured a silver medal at the 2011 Beach Worlds. The USA has numerous past World bronze medalists.
Note: Rusty Davidson, an active leader within USA Wrestling, is the head referee at the Beach World Championships, and will send updates on the USA athletes.
Fazana is an ancient city on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. It was once the home of Yugoslavian dictator, Marshall Tito. This weekend, it is the home of United World Wrestling’s 2016 Beach Wrestling World Championship.
After two full days of competition, traditional Beach Wrestling powers Iran, Norway and Greece continue to dominate through the Cadet and Junior events. Host Croatia has put in an impressive performance, while Austria has made an impact.
The UWW Cadet Division competed all day, Friday. The men’s Cadet division was narrowly won by host, Croatia. Iran and Austria earned the Silver and Bronze Team Cups. In the Women’s Cadet competition, Greece won the Team Championship. Norway and Croatia took Silver and Bronze.
Saturday saw the UWW Juniors Division take to the sand. After a slight rain delay, the Juniors saw a beautiful day of sun on the Adriatic Sea. As evening fell, Greece won their second Women’s Team Championship in as many days. Croatia and Norway followed. Iran dominated the Men’s Juniors event, followed by Croatia and Greece.
Sunday will see the most populated and popular event, as the Seniors enter the seven meter ring, in the sand.
The United States is represented by three athletes in the Senior division. Mark Burkart of Alaska, will compete in the 70 kg (154 lb) class. Jeff Jacobs, of New Jersey, enters the 80 kg (176 lb) class. Dennis Cannon of Virginia, will represent the U.S. in the +100 kg (unlimited) class. All three are seeking their first Beach World medal.
Beach wrestling is a growing sport on the world level. The USA seeks its first Beach World champion. Former U.S. Marine Corps Greco-Roman star Donovan DePatto is the only American to reach a Beach World finals, when he captured a silver medal at the 2011 Beach Worlds. The USA has numerous past World bronze medalists.
Note: Rusty Davidson, an active leader within USA Wrestling, is the head referee at the Beach World Championships, and will send updates on the USA athletes.
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