Jace Koelzer (Position Wrestling) is batting .1000 thus far in his new career as a Senior Greco-Roman athlete.
The 2025 Haparanda Cup began at 10:00am local time from Haparanda, Sweden (4:00am ET) and streamed live on Brottning Play.
Koelzer was one of three Americans to compete on Saturday along with ’23 World Team member Zac Braunagel (87 kg, NYAC/Navy WC) and Northern Michigan upper-weight prospect Aidan Squier (87 kg). Koelzer — who went 3-0 en-route to gold — was the lone medalist among the group.
Koelzer was tested in Round 1 by Alyosha Iliev (BUL) but held his ground to emerge victorious via 4-1 decision. He then drubbed Mark Loitto of Sweden following a hectic points barrage that started in the first period. Koelzer had received the passivity/par terre chance and used a head-lever to collect a trapped-arm gutwrench for two points; after that, he essentially folkstyle “arm-barred” Loitto for two more and lead 5-0 lead heading into intermission. Not long into Period 2, Koelzer earned two from a little arm spin before closing Loitto out with a four-point lift. Koelzer breezed past Julius Kingberg (SWE) to continue his remarkable run at what was his first Senior international Greco tournament.
With gold on the line, Koelzer slashed through young Pontus Stahl (SWE) thanks to a driving pace and sharp on-the-feet wrestling. He earned his first pair of points from a snap-spin takedown — and followed with another once the action returned standing. The second takedown made the score 4-0 and Koelzer added 5th point from a step-out. The final sequence saw Koelzer hit a darting duck-under to body attack that ended the proceedings at 9-0 in his favor.
Koelzer’s Haparanda gold is the United States’ first since ’22, though in that edition of the tournament Lenny Merkin went unopposed at 72 kg. Prior to that event, the last American to win the Haparanda Cup was Olympian and World Team member John Stefanowicz in ’19. Koelzer — twice an NCAA Division I National qualifier — is also the first athlete to represent the Position Wrestling training center (run by Olympian/World Teamer Sam Hazewinkel) in competition.
Braunagel & Squier
Braunagel got started nicely on Saturday by defeating Jesper Harkanen (FIN) by way of technical superiority. It was a match that dripped with Braunagel’s signature style. He generated plenty of motion and bulldogged to grab the first passive point, but nothing was doing from top; but, his unyielding tempo eventually helped produce three consecutive takedowns followed by a step-out point to provide the points required for a stoppage.
Braunagel was decisioned by Swede Lukas Ahlgren 6-1 in the next round, with Ahlgren benefiting from the second period passivity call and receiving points from both a lift attempt and caution in what became a 6-1 loss for the American. Braunagel put together a solid effort in Round 3 of his pool but was edged on criteria by Andrey Atanasov (BUL).
As for Squier, who was returning from injury, it was a tough day at the office. He took an opening-round loss to Algot Kallman (SWE) and was downed in his next match by Oskar Johansson (SWE).
The 2025 Haparanda Cup was the last open international tournament of the year.
2025 Haparanda Cup
December 6 — Haparanda, SWE
TEAM USA RESULTS
60 kg: Jace Koelzer (Position Wrestling) — GOLD
WON Alyosha Iliev (BUL) 4-1
WON Mark Loitto (SWE) 11-0, TF
WON Julius Kingberg (SWE) 9-0, TF
WON Pontius Stahl (SWE) 9-0, TF
87 kg: Zac Braunagel (NYAC/Navy WC) — 6th
WON Jesper Harkanen (FIN) 8-0, TF
LOSS Lukas Ahlgren (SWE) 6-1
LOSS Andrey Atanasov (BUL) 5-5 (criteria)
87 kg: Aidan Squier (NMU/NTS) — 10th
LOSS Algot Kallman (SWE) 8-0, TF
LOSS Oskar Johansson (SWE) 6-0
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