Last weekend, Billy Sullivan (Army/WCAP) wrestled superbly en-route to a bronze medal at the 2024 Druskinikai Cup in Lithuania. Sullivan, who owns a spot on the United States’ U23 World roster at 55 kilograms, was forced to move up in weight due to the event not hosting the sport’s lightest category — thus rendering the verdict even more impressive on account of this required adjustment.
Sullivan defeated Maxim Sarmanov (MDA) via technical superiority in his first bout but fell to USA teammate Max Black (NMU/NTS, who took silver) and eventual champ Olivier Skrzypczak (POL). In Round 4 of his bracket, and with bronze close to his grasp, Sullivan bit down on a thrilling 5-3 decision at the expense of Ukrainian Mykola Havrychkin.
There are a couple of other layers with regards to Sullivan’s foray over to Lithuania (he is set to return in the middle of next week). One is the training opportunity it presented. Although most of the American delegation certainly prioritized the Druskinikai Cup, it was the camp that unfolded throughout this past week which stood as the primary reason for the jaunt.
Then there were the actual skills in play which Sullivan had sought to test. With the U23 World Championships less than two months away (not to mention the US non-Olympic Trials next month), both the event and training camp have provided Sullivan with the chance to see where he is at in relation to foreigners so that, if necessary, some tweaks might be made during this last phase of preparation for the Worlds. Sullivan — who earned silver at Thor Masters in ’21 and has logged many trips across the Atlantic for competitive purposes — is well-versed when it comes to adapting that which he has gleaned and applying such measures to his ever-growing Greco-Roman arsenal.
Billy Sullivan — 55 kg, Army/WCAP
5PM: When you learned that there was no 55 kg at the tournament, what was your initial reaction?
Billy Sullivan: I learned that there was no 55 a couple weeks prior to the tournament when my dad sent me the tournament flier. I pretty much just thought, ‘Well I get to eat at all the airports and at all of the international places that i want to — which usually doesn’t happen till after the fact. So, it was cool and nice doing that. I knew that I would be weighing-in light no matter what I ate or how much.
5PM: You wound up wrestling up a weight at 60, and wrestled quite terrifically. You looked very strong and had some impressive work in par terre too. Even though you’re a 55 kg guy, this must have been a good feeling to have after the tournament.
Sullivan: It was good, for sure. I believe that both the guys I had beaten, if I am correct, were also 55 usually, so it was nice getting those matches out of the way. I felt good being able to get to my ties when I was able to. There are still things I need to work on from standing but there will always be something to improve. Par terre felt good. Pressure, pressure, pressure — I need to work on that but, overall, on top it felt not too bad.
5PM: How long did it take you to get acclimated to the time change?
Sullivan: The time acclimation wasn’t to bad because our flight got us here during the day. Still slept a lot when we got here, but it was needed.
5PM: What, from both a technical and physical standpoint, was most important to you about the tournament?
Sullivan: I think it was getting to my ties, which is something that I’ve been working on since prior to U23 Trials. Getting my ties and controlling the mat, pushing, pulling and creating my attacks from my ties or getting the call. Making them the passive one from my control ties. I was doing alright in this regard at certain points, I just need to continue to remind myself to get back to the tie once we break contact. Step in first to create the pressure.
5PM: As for the camp, how has it been structured?
Sullivan: This is my first time being in Europe since Thor Masters in ’21. The camp is good. There are a lot of people all over from 60-63 kg. They are good sizes. They aren’t too big — and even if they are, I am getting those good looks from the bigger guys. Learning how to control my ground and work around them. It’s pretty much been all live, which was expected. 20 minute warm-ups and anywhere from 20-35 minutes of wrestling. 10 minute drill with the rest being live on feet or par terre. A grinder for sure, but that’s needed, especially because it’s the European looks. It has been good for all of us as a Team.
5PM: Have there been any particular areas which you have found to be the most productive?
Sullivan: I’d say that with being out here, all of the areas are a big concern for me, really. I am seeing how I can control them on the feet or work on getting out of their ties. As a Team, we’ve been heavily focusing on par terre. During practice and after practice doing extra par terre movements.
5PM: What do you think will be the biggest takeaway for you from this trip?
Billy Sullivan: I think the biggest takeaway for me is just being able to get these matches and time against the foreigners prior to the competitions coming up. Especially not having been in Europe since ’22, it’s nice wrestling and getting these feels prior to Worlds. Seeing how my style does against them, seeing what I need to work on, and what could be improved, or what works well against them that I am already doing. Positives and negatives, all feedback will be a great takeaway and something to bring back to WCAP.
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