The 2024 Haparanda Cup — live from Haparanda, Sweden — begins tomorrow morning and features two Americans among its field: recent U20 World silver Otto Black and four-time NCAA All-American Austin DeSanto, who will be making his international Greco-Roman debut.
Also listed as entrants for the Haparanda Cup are several top competitors led by ’22 World bronze Mantas Knystautas (130 kg, LTU). Knystautas, 30, is apparently intent on keeping an unusually active profile in the wake of the Paris Olympics. In September, he placed second at the Valamar Cup in Croatia and, after Haparanda, the Lithuanian heavy is also scheduled for action at the Haavisto Cup next weekend in Ilmajoki, Finland.
In addition to Knystautas are other notable European Greco-Roman athletes with whom fans might be familiar. At 67 kilograms is Sweden’s Niklas Ohlen, who despite not yet having broken through on the World level is a gifted and exciting competitor targeted for big things down the road. Poland is sending a delegation, as well, and one of that nation’s charges is Islam Aliev (82 kg). Aliev, like Ohlen, is still young and working to assert himself on the top circuit. But — he is tough and entertaining to watch.
In the 87 and 97 kg categories, respectively, are Dutch stars Marcel and Tyrone Sterkenburg. Marcel made a splash in ’21 when he became the Netherlands’ first Junior World Champion. In the time since, he has added two U23 World medals, including one from this past October when he grabbed silver after falling in the final to Aues Gonibov (AIN). Tyrone himself was a Junior World runner-up in ’21 and these days consistently contends in nearly each event he enters.
Tournament Schedule & Streaming
The Haparanda Cup — which is observing the traditional one-day format — is scheduled to begin at 10:00am local time (4:00am ET) with finals/medal rounds set to unfold at 5:00pm (11:00am). It is also being run using the “Nordic system” (A/B pools in each bracket), which means that all entrants are guaranteed a minimum of two matches.
Notes: 55 kilograms will not be contested in this event, and a two-kilogram allowance is offered for the remaining weight classes, as well.
Those who desire to watch the Haparanda Cup can do so by visiting this link and creating an account. UPDATE: there is a $9.00 fee to watch the Haparanda Cup.
2024 Haparanda Cup
November 30 — Haparanda, SWE
TEAM USA ROSTER
63 kg
Otto Black (Hawkeye WC)
Austin DeSanto (Hawkeye WC)
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