In a historic moment for British Wrestling, the Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester played host to the inaugural Great Britain Grand Prix on December 1, 2023. This marked a significant milestone as the first international competition organized by British Wrestling in 13 years, showcasing the sport’s resurgence in the country.
The wrestling spectacle featured competitions in Freestyle for both men and women across two age categories: under 17 and under 20. With representation from 17 nations, athletes from nations including Korea, Latvia, Bangladesh, Greece, New Zealand, and the home nation Great Britain, grappled on the mats in a display of skill, strength, and sportsmanship. Results from the competition are available on the UWW website.
Special congratulations to the British wrestlers who secured a medal:
U17 |
U20 |
||||
| Harry Meadows | FS 51kg | Gold | Charlie Meadows | FS 65kg | Bronze |
| Danoush Jowkar | FS 60kg | Gold | Micah Naisbet | FS 70kg | Silver |
| Toby Pearce | FS 60kg | Bronze | Joab Sneyd | FS 97kg | Silver |
| Louis Costello | FS 71kg | Gold | Mayashan Sharmadekker | WW 62kg | Silver |
| Alfie Gallagher | FS 80kg | Gold | |||
| Megan Kipling | WW 53kg | Gold | |||
| Simarpreet Kaur | WW 53kg | Silver | |||
| Lucia Ford | WW 53kg | Bronze | |||
| Mayashan Sharmadekker | WW 61kg | Gold | |||
| Shannon Harrison | WW 61kg | Silver | |||
Photos courtesy of On The Mat UK
The event not only marked a celebration of the global wrestling community but also served as a testament to the commitment of British Wrestling in revitalizing the sport within the country. The Wythenshawe Forum buzzed with energy as spectators witnessed intense bouts and marvelled at the athleticism displayed by the young wrestlers.
Get all the photos from the event at – www.flickr.com/photos/on_the_mat/
Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated officials played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the tournament. A special acknowledgement goes to Technical Delegate Vaclav Sheiner from the Czech Republic, whose expertise and guidance contributed to the success of the Great Britain Grand Prix. His commitment to the sport and meticulous oversight set the stage for an unforgettable competition.
Amidst the cheers and nail-biting moments, the wrestling community bid farewell to a distinguished figure. GBR International Referee Ian Wiggett presided over his final competition, announcing his retirement from international refereeing. Having served with distinction, Wiggett’s contributions to the sport were acknowledged by both athletes and officials, marking the end of an era for refereeing in British Wrestling.
In a poignant moment, United World Wrestling (UWW) paid tribute to the late David Sudron. UWW Official Carlos Garcia presented David Sudron’s son and GBR National Coach, Michael Sudron, with a letter of gratitude for his father’s years of service. The touching gesture added a layer of emotion to the event, emphasizing the sense of community and shared history within the wrestling world.
As the final whistles blew and medals were awarded, the Great Britain Grand Prix left an indelible mark on the wrestling landscape. The event not only showcased the prowess of athletes from diverse nations but also highlighted the unity and camaraderie that define the wrestling community. With the success of this inaugural Grand Prix, British Wrestling looks forward to a bright future, building on the momentum generated by this landmark event.
