BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN — At the 2023 World Deaf Wrestling Championships, the USA Cadet Freestyle team won Bronze and brought home the first ever World Championship team trophy for the United States. Team awards are based on points earned by all the athletes on that team, making this accomplishment especially impressive, considering that most countries had five or more people on their team. However, it was the frequencies of pins and medal placings that pulled the Americans ahead to a third place finish.
Dov Nathanson took part in the 71 kg (156 pounds) weight class. Despite suffering a knee injury during the Greco-Roman tournament, Nathanson battled through and rose to the top, winning a Gold medal. Nathanson also had the fastest pin of the tournament, at 22 seconds. In the final, Nathanson achieved another pin against his opponent at 1 minute 42 seconds.
Galvin Nathanson took part in the 60 Kg (132 pounds). Despite only being 117 pounds going against bigger and heavier competitors, Nathanson claimed another silver medal. The most exciting match of Nathanson’s run came against Ukraine, whose athlete had lost weight to make it in that weight category. In the subsequent match against Armenia, it appeared as if Nathanson resembled David going versus Goliath, but the opponent was no match for Nathanson’s guile as he managed an unusual standing pin of his opponent within 28 seconds.
Aloysius Fitzpatrick won the Bronze medal in his weight class with a technically sound match and a pin that created an adrenaline rush that rallied the American team to a strong showing.
Recap and photos courtesy USA Deaf Wrestling
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