Local Athlete makes USA Team

Oct. 26, 2009 - PRLog -- LOCAL ATHLETE WINS WORLD TEAM TRIALS;
EARNS GRAPPLING SPOT ON USA WRESTING TEAM

October 26, 2009 (SIOUX FALLS, SD) Local grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Catch Wrestling practitioner Shayna Baszler won the Women’s Gi and No-Gi U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in the 63kg class this past weekend in Phoenix, AZ. The win earns her a spot on the USA Wrestling Team and a chance to compete at the FILA Grappling World Championships December 11-13 in Ft Lauderdale, FL.

Baszler lost to Miesha Tate in the first round of the Round Robin and then came back to defeat Olympic silver medalist freestyle wrestler Sara McMann and Angelic Rein for the first place finish in the 63kg weight class.

“I have been competing since 2004 but this is the first time I feel like I am truly representing my country on such an international level. Coming from such a wrestling based family the USA Wrestling team was always a big deal in our house. I feel that now that our style is recognized by USA Wrestling and FILA that it is only a matter of time before more media and attention is put on our sport and it starts to get more attention and sponsors like Freestyle and Greco-Roman. I had a great camp and I felt great going into the competition. I hope this continues into the World Championships.” say Shayna Baszler about her recent accomplishment.

Baszler placed third at the 2007 Grappling World Team Trials.

The champions in each weight class from the 2009 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials qualify for the U.S. Grappling World Team. The United States is the defending world champions in both No-Gi and Gi Grappling, winning the first World Grappling Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland in December 2008. This year, the World Championships is expected to grow in size and prestige when it is held in the United States.

# # #

About Next Edge Academy

Next Edge Academy is the premier source for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, cardio kickboxing, boxing, Judo and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) instruction.