The United States already has a gold medalist from the first day of wrestling in Sweden and they may very well add another once action resumes tomorrow.
Day 1 of the 2026 Sundsvall Wrestling Open began at 10:00am local time from Sundsvall, Sweden and streamed live on YouTube.
Cameron Groncki (Tiger WC) only had one opponent (Olle Almen of Sweden) in his bracket but he made the most out of the limited opportunity by recording two wins to come away with gold at 130 kg. Groncki, who began his full-time career at Northern Michigan University but has since moved on to Doane University, is the only American thus far to have clinched a medal.
Well-established Senior and ’21 U23 World roster member Tommy Brackett (Tiger WC) is 2-0 at 82 kilograms. Brackett — who is the grad assistant for Doane University Greco-Roman — prevailed over Belous Artur (LAT) and Oscar Nord-Jansson (SWE), respectively, to advance in pool competition. Brackett won both matches by way of technical superiority and is scheduled to face Latvian Toms Irklis in Round 3 tomorrow.
Still in the Hunt
’23 U20 World Team member Patrick Brackett (72 kg, Tiger WC) and ’25 U20 National runner-up Ned Kauffman (67 kg) share 1-1 records after the first day of wrestling. The younger Brackett took a loss to Niklas Ohlen (SWE) in the opening round. Ohlen is currently one of his country’s top competitors and has accumulated a string of impressive credentials internationally. Brackett rebounded by dismantling Liam Svensson (SWE) in Round 2 and will next square off against Hjalmar Sandin (SWE) in Round 3. Kauffman — who in November became the Doane program’s first international medalist by earning bronze in New York — was defeated by Swede William Ekeroth in Round 1 but trounced Oskar Jansson in his subsequent match to stay alive in his pool. Kauffman will meet Elian Hedberg in Round 3 on Sunday.
Young Michael Daleiden (71 kg, Combat WC) is the only USA athlete in the event’s U17 division and is 2-1 entering Sunday. Daleiden blanked Devin Svarling (SWE) to move forward in his weight category but was downed by Jack Svensson (SWE) 7-3 in Round 2. Daleiden blew past Charlie Askling (SWE) to close shop on Saturday and is in strong position to earn a spot in the medal rounds.
It is a first-time experience for Colton Steldt (67 kg, Combat WC) as he was making his overseas wrestling debut this weekend. Steldt was defeated by Noah Johansen (NOR) in Round 1 before falling to Ukrainian Maksym Chuhuiev in the second round.
As noted, competition will pick back up in the morning at 10:00am local time/4:00am ET and can be streamed live on YouTube.
2026 Sundsvall Open
January 16-17 — Sundsvall, SWE
TEAM USA RESULTS
U17
Michael Daleiden (Combat WC)
WON Devin Svarling (SWE) 5-0
LOSS Jack Svensson (SWE) 7-3
WON Charlie Askling (SWE) 8-0, TF
U20+
67 kg: Ned Kauffman (Tiger WC)
LOSS William Ekeroth (SWE) 8-0, TF
WON: Oskar Jansson (SWE) 8-0, TF
67 kg: Colton Steldt (Combat WC)
LOSS Noah Johansen (NOR) 10-0, TF
LOSS Maksym Chuhuiev (UKR) 8-0, TF
72 kg: Patrick Brackett (Tiger WC)
LOSS Niklas Ohlen (SWE) 9-0, TF
WON Liam Svensson (SWE) 10-0, TF
82 kg: Tommy Brackett (Tiger WC)
WON Belous Artur (LAT) 8-0, TF
WON Oskar Nord-Jansson (SWE) 8-0, TF
130 kg: Cameron Groncki (Tiger WC) — GOLD
WON Olle Almen (SWE) 10-0, TF
WON Olle Almen (SWE) via injury default
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