When 28-year-old Kenichiro Fumita (60 kg, JPN) downed Liguo Cao (CHN) for gold in Paris earlier this month, he became the oldest Olympic Champion in Japanese history.
Fumita — twice a Senior World champ along with owning a silver from the previous Olympiad to go along with a gold from the U23 level — was 28 years, seven months, and 19 days old when he won in the finals on August 6, which makes him four months older than Masaaki Kaneko was in ’68 at the Mexico City Games. Kaneko had himself earned gold in the 63 kg category in freestyle. The oldest Japanese Olympic champ in Greco prior to Fumita was Miyahara Atsuji, who at 25 rose to the top at the ’84 Games in Los Angeles.
Following the conclusion of Greco-Roman in Paris, United World Wrestling hosted a social gathering (on a ship) at which Fumita was one of the honorees. The champ fielded questions as part of a panel and had this to say about his approach to the classical style of wrestling.
“I am confident that I love Greco-Roman wrestling more than anyone in the world,” declared Fumita. “I think it’s because I reflect my ideal of Greco-Roman wrestling in my matches.” As to how he sees the difference between competing at the World Championships and the Olympics, Fumita said, “The number of people supporting me (at the Games) is on a completely different level. The pressure is greater at the Olympics. But I thought that winning at the Olympics was worth it.”
Betts Comments on New Season
The new season for Greco-Roman wrestling at Northern Michigan University’s National Training Site got underway on Monday. Due to NMU staking claim to several top competitors — including Olympian Payton Jacobson (87 kg), and U23 World Team members Max Black (60 kg) and Jonathan Gurule (63 kg) — the Superior Dome on campus was not bereft of activity throughout the summer. Nevertheless, Monday ushered in the first official full practice of the fall semester as the country’s primary Senior pipeline welcomed in both established student-athletes and eager freshmen alike.
NMU/NTS assistant coach Parker Betts spoke briefly about the dawn of this new season and what he has already witnessed unfolding among his charges in the room.
“The start of this season has been different compared to the past couple years with non-Olympic weight World Team Trials right around the corner, so we’re starting the season off with a higher pace then we usually would. The guys have responded well and are working hard. The new guys don’t know what the start of the year is usually like, so they are bought-in already and I think that stems from last years success with Payton making the Olympic Team then Payton, Max and Jonny (Gurule) making the U23 Team.
“The young guys are confident and hungry, and want to compete. A good group of them will be competing at the Trials in September, which is a great sign. The older guys are leading the way, of course. I can sense a veteran leadership mentality from those guys, which is great for our young guys to follow. I am really excited for the future of our program. Last year shined a new light on our program and I think we’re going to have a lot more guys willing to commit to Greco full-time.”
2024 U20 Worlds Schedule
Next Monday begins the ’24 U20 World Championships from Pontevedra, Spain. Three weeks ago, US Developmental Coach Cheney Haight expressed high confidence in the American squad’s chances at the tournament. In what was a wide-ranging interview, Haight said of the U20 World Team that he thought the US “can get a couple of medals”. He also added, “We have Aden (Attao), who has already medaled. And then we have a lot of talent in some of the other weight classes, like Otto Black and few of the others.”
Haight’s optimism is not unfounded. In addition to Attao (U20 bronze in ’22), the US boasts Cory Land (60 kg), who was a U17 silver medalist in ’21 as well as ’22 U17 World Champ Joel Adams (67 kg). Then there is the aforementioned Black (younger brother of NMU’s Max Black), who although might be new to World competition is nevertheless considered a medal candidate this year. Athletes such as Isaiah Cortez (55 kg), Patrick Brackett (72 kg), and Arian Khosravy (82 kg) likewise could be in the mix given how their styles may counteract those of the foreigners.
Pontevedra is six hours ahead of Eastern Time. FLOWrestling will carry the live broadcast for the US audience.
2024 USA U20 World Team
55 kg: Isaiah Cortez (Daniel Cormier WC)
60 kg: Cory Land (Ironclad WC)
63 kg: Otto Black (CTT)
67 kg: Joel Adams (TBW)
72 kg: Patrick Brackett (Mile High WC)
77 kg: Aydin Rix-McElhinney (Northern Colorado WC)
82 kg: Arian Khosravy (CA)
87 kg: Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio RTC)
97 kg: Soren Herzog (Air Force RTC)
130 kg: Aden Attao (NYAC/Beaver Dam RTC)
Monday, September 2 (55, 63, 77, 87, & 130 kg)
10:00am-3:00pm — Qualification rounds through quarterfinals
6:00pm-7:30pm — Semifinals
Tuesday, September 3 (60, 67, 72, 82, & 97 kg)
10:00am-3:00pm — Qualification rounds through quarterfinals
10:00am-3:00pm — Repechage (Day 1 weights)
4:45pm-5:45pm — Semifinals
6:00pm-8:30pm — Finals & bronze matches (Day 1 weights)
Wednesday, September 4
10:00am-3:00pm — Repechage (Day 2 weights)
6:00pm-8:30pm — Finals & bronze matches (Day 2 weights)
Listen to “5PM57: Kamal Bey and David Stepanyan” on Spreaker.
Listen to “5PM56: Rich Carlson and Spencer Woods” on Spreaker.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FIVE POINT MOVE PODCAST
iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Play Music
