Fresh off of its best performance at the U23 level in team history, the United States Greco-Roman program is looking to make a similar impact when the World Championships begins on Monday.
There are only four non-Olympic weight categories competing in each style next week in Albania, hence there are only four USA Greco World Team members. One interesting item for the American squad is that all four representatives have made prior World Championships appearances. In the case of Ildar Hafizov (63 kg, Army/WCAP) and Aliaksandr Kikiniou (82 kg, NYAC), the degrees of experience are quite substantial. Both gentlemen began making starts in Senior World-level events dating back to the mid-2000s. Hafizov was a member of two World rosters for Uzbekistan and also competed in the ‘08 Beijing Olympiad for his former country. Meanwhile, Kikiniou likewise suited up in several World tournaments for his home nation, Belarus, and walked away with a bronze medal way back in ‘09. Hafizov, 36, and Kikiniou, 44, are – of course – the oldest American wrestlers lacing up their shoes next week, but age is not necessarily a hindrance for Greco-Roman athletes in today’s climate as has been witnessed throughout the international landscape.
Brady Koontz (55 kg, TMWC/Dubuque RTC) and “Mr. Fantastic” Benji Peak (72 kg, Combat WC) are, conversely, amid the primes of their respective careers. Both have made one World roster apiece (Koontz in ‘23, Peak in ‘22) and have been at or near…
