DOMDIDIER, Switzerland – Three U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals at the Veterans World Freestyle Championships in Switzerland on Friday. 

On Saturday, competition was held in the Division C and Division D age-groups.

Capturing gold medals were Jamey Kasser of Lewis Center, Ohio (Div. C - 63 kg/138.75 lbs.), Brad Swartz of Auburn, Wash. (Div. C - 76 kg/167.5 lbs.) and Warren Howard of Marinette, Wis. (Div. D - 76 kg/167.5 lbs.).

For Swartz, it was his fourth career Veterans World title. He has won Veterans World titles in 2001, 2004, 2009 and 2010.

Swartz opened with a victory over an Iranian opponent, in what Swartz said was this toughest match of the day, earning a 5-1, 1-0 win. In his second match, the hit a high crotch takedown then pinned an opponent from Switzerland. He finished up in a rugged match against an German wrestler, winning 4-0, 6-0 in what Swartz termed a “brawl.”

“I felt I wrestled really well,” said Swartz. “My two boys were back from Boise State and trained with me. Oleg Boyko from Russia is a coach at my Vision Quest Sport and Fitness club, where I am the CEO. I had a Russian coach for three straight months. I was the most prepared I have ever been.”

Although this is his fourth title, this year’s victory has some special meaning to Swartz.

“This is my vacation every year,” he said. “I had my son here and he coached me in every match. He coached along with Sam Barber for me. They work very well together.”

Kasser’s gold-medal win was the culmination of a long recovery and rehabilitation. He is a firefighter, and when he was working in a building there was a collapse which broke his shoulder which led to multiple surgeries. His last Veterans World Championships was back in 2004, when he placed fourth.

“I have been training really hard,” said Kasser. I was injured in a structure fire at work, and have been out of competition for more than four years. I trained hard on my conditioning and strength and it paid off. I was determined to do it.”

Kasser won a three-athlete roundrobin for the title. Kasser fell behind in his opening match against a talented Armenia opponent. Although down 5-0 early, Kasser rallied to win the first period 6-5. In the second period, he won by a 4-2 margin. In his second match, he scored a dominant 6-0, 6-0 technical fall over a Russian.

Howard, a high school coach, has been competing in Veterans tournaments for many years. However, this was the first time he had every competed in freestyle, and his first trip to compete overseas at the World level.

“It was a great experience for my first freestyle tournament and my first World Championships,” said Howard. “I have had 38 years of wrestling folkstyle wherever I can. My teammates and coach Barber were telling me what to do. I knew some freestyle by watching it, but this was my first tournament.”

Howard opened with a technical fall victory over a wrestler from Argentina, winning 10-3 and 6-0. His semifinal win was against a German, by a 4-0, 3-2 margin. In the championship finals, Howard won by a 6-0, 6-2 margin, hitting a lateral drop on the edge as time ran out in the period to seal the victory.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Howard. “I came to wrestle, but not to win. I knew that it would be very tough. It was a great day for me and I will never forget it.”

There were five Americans competing on Saturday, and four won medals. Winning a bronze medal was Thomas Mooney, Crystal, Minn. (Div. C - 58 kg/127.75 lbs.).

“They were winning the American way,” said U.S. team leader and coach Sam Barber. “They were getting them tired, picking up the pace and wearing them out. They are all doing a great job here.”

Swartz, who has been to many Veterans World Championships, is very impressed by the U.S. team effort this year.

“Everybody came in good shape. The attitude is that everybody came to win this year. Because of that, there is a great team camaraderie here,” said Swartz. 
 
VETERANS WORLD FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Domdidier, Switzerland, July 30

U.S. Veterans Medalists on Saturday

Div. C
58 kg/127.75 lbs. – Thomas Mooney, Crystal, Minn., 3rd
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Jamey Kasser, Lewis Center, Ohio, 1st
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Brad Swartz, Auburn, Wash., 1st

Div. D
76 kg/167.5 lbs.  – Warren Howard, Marinette, Wis., 1st