Earlier this morning began the Elite Greco Camp held at the National Training Site on the campus of Northern Michigan University. It is an exclusive group of attendees, as the gathering is geared more towards athletes whose ambitions exceed traditional American wrestling standards and instead have designs on eventually representing the United States at the World Championships and Olympic Games.
The camp, which concludes on Thursday, involves a layout which sees technical work (from the feet and in par terre) as the preeminent objective in the mornings; afternoons are set aside for pressure drills, pressure-release concepts, and live wrestling from par terre. For the last day of camp on Thursday, more live is penciled-in on the schedule with simulations and matches selected as the grand finale.
“We’re really trying to slow down all of the fundamentals from par terre and on the feet,” said NMU assistant coach Parker Betts, “but par terre for sure since that is where we (the US) struggle the most. The Combat (WI) guys are the most well-rounded in the room thus far.”
Stig-Andre Berge Steps Down in NOR
2014 World/’16 Olympic bronze Stig-Andre Berge recently decided to loosen himself of his coaching duties for the Norwegian Wrestling Federation. Berge, 39, had been concentrating his efforts on the age-group side, particularly when it comes to Norway’s crop of U20 competitors, a role he began manning soon after retiring from competition following the Oslo Worlds in ’21. Former NOR athlete Pal Erik Gundersen is replacing Berge with regards to the age-group athletes, while Berge will remain a wrestling instructor at Wang Toppidrett in Oslo, which is a multi-sport facility for youngsters.
Of his decision, Berge said, “My family situation with two small children makes it difficult to have the main responsibility for youth and the Junior wrestlers who now have to be matched abroad to a greater extent at camps and competitions. Then, it will be difficult to be present at both locations. This is why I want to prioritize my family going forward, so that the athletes can get the best care needed for them to take new steps. I am looking forward to still being part of the team because I have great faith in the athletes who represent Norway and that they can constantly take new steps towards the top of the world in the long-term.”
Norway has undergone a series of changes over the past seven months. In November, Fritz Aanes departed as head coach, which led to Danish head coach Szymon Kogut and Sports Director Thor Hyllegaard taking command of both programs until this past spring. Last month, NOR announced former Dutch National coach Mariusz Gicewicz as the head of the Senior program, with Hyllegaard staying on as director and Kogut as a consultant.
Listen to “5PM54: WCAP’s Ryan Epps and a Final X Greco-Roman Preview” on Spreaker.
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