British Wrestling is proud to celebrate a standout performance from Danoush Jowkar, who delivered a hard-fought 4th place finish in the Men’s Freestyle 57kg category at the prestigious Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France in Nice.
The Henri Deglane Grand Prix is one of Europe’s elite early-season senior international wrestling tournaments, held annually in memory of Henri Deglane, France’s Olympic Greco-Roman gold medallist from the 1924 Paris Games. Each year, top athletes from across the globe gather in Nice to compete in fierce freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s divisions — a key proving ground ahead of major world and continental championships.
Stepping Up to Senior International Competition
Transitioning from youth and age-group wrestling into senior international competition is a milestone for any athlete. For Danoush, this tournament marked an important step in his development on the world stage. Although the bracket results show one win and three losses, a closer look at his mat time tells a much richer story of progress, resilience and near victories.
In several bouts, Danoush led deep into the closing minutes and was competitive against seasoned senior opponents. His coach, Ross Connelly, summed up the performance with pride:
“He could easily have won gold.”
Despite a couple of technical errors at pivotal moments, the dynamics of his matches suggested he was never out of contention, a sign of a wrestler growing in confidence and capability.
What the Results Mean
At the 2026 edition of the Grand Prix, the men’s freestyle competition was stacked with international talent. In the 57kg category, the medals went to Rassoul Galbouraev of France (gold), Thomas Epp of Switzerland (silver) and Karamjeet Holstein of Germany (bronze) — meaning Danoush’s performance placed him just outside the podium in an intensely competitive field.
His fourth place finish was also recognised in broader tournament reports, which highlighted a strong showing from Team GB amidst a field that saw teams from wrestling powerhouses like the United States and host nation France secure multiple medals across weight classes.
Looking Forward: Onwards and Upwards
For British Wrestling, Danoush’s result is more than a statistic — it’s a milestone. It reflects a trajectory of growth, learning and belief in the potential of our athletes on the world stage. Danoush’s performance in Nice demonstrates that he belongs among the sport’s rising senior talents and signals exciting promise for upcoming international championships.
International Success and British Wrestling’s Unleashing Potential Strategy
Danoush’s breakthrough aligns perfectly with British Wrestling’s new strategic vision: Unleashing Potential. This ambitious plan focuses on elevating athlete performance through greater international exposure, enhanced coaching support, and targeted competitive opportunities that sharpen skills against the best in the world.
A crucial pillar of Unleashing Potential is forging stronger international experiences for British wrestlers — from Grand Prix events like Henri Deglane to World Championships and beyond. Competing against diverse styles and high-calibre opponents accelerates development and builds the confidence needed to succeed at elite levels. Danoush’s efforts in Nice is precisely the kind of international success the strategy aims to cultivate, proving that when British wrestlers step onto the global stage, they can compete, learn and thrive.
The future is bright — on and off the mat — as British Wrestling continues to back its athletes, invest in their growth, and chase success together.
