The Illinois youth wrestler who punched his opponent after losing a match is ‘cited for ASSAULT’
Young Illinois wrestler who punched rival after loss is ‘cited for ATTACK’ after admitting to officers that he threw the cheap shot because ‘he was angry’ about defeat
- The incident between both eighth graders took place at a tournament in Illinois
- Other reports have stated that the boy who was hit would press charges
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An Illinois youth wrestler who punched his rival after losing their fight has been cited by police following the violent assault.
Hafid Alicea, 14, was issued a ticket from Oak Park police on Thursday after admitting to officers that he hit his opponent because “he was angry that he had lost the game,” police said. TMZ.
It was recently reported that the parents of Cooper Corder, the young man who was the victim of the blow, had decided to press charges.
The incident occurred in Oak Park, Illinois, during a third-place, 125-128-pound contest at this year’s edition of the Beat the Street Developmental FS tournament.
Corder, representing SPAR Academy, defeated Alicea from Maine West High School by a score of 14-2, according to TMZ Sports. The unexpected blow came after the game ended, when both participants tried to shake hands, leaving parents and other young athletes in shock.
The incident took place in Oak Park, Illinois, during a third place, 125-128 pound contest
Hafid Alicia (right) was taken off the field after punching his victorious opponent
When Cooper, who is in his senior year of high school and wearing an orange shirt, went to shake hands with Alicea, who was wearing blue, he was on the receiving end of a right hand thrown with boxer perfection instead of a wrestler sending him straight to the floor.
A woman – who may have been Corder’s mother – was heard screaming, “What the f**k!” as she rushed over to the crumpled Corder to look.
Corder appears to have come out of the incident much better than initially feared, only with a nose injury.
But it is clear that he will have to wear a face mask during his next matches.
“He’s making the best of the situation and is already training again,” says Justin Pearch, founder of SPAR Academy.
“As you may know, wrestling matches can get heated, but nothing leading up to the punch would prompt such poor decision-making on the part of the opponent.
“It is not tolerated in our sport and Spar Wrestling will never condone that behavior.”
Maine West High School did not immediately respond to an email for comment.
Cooper Corder is a two-time state wrestling champion, who was beaten by his opponent