Takedown Report

‘Kind of got hooked’: How sand wrestling made its way to the Muskingum Valley

Ancient style helps improve hand fighting, upper body attacks, wrestlers say
EAST FULTONHAM — Wyatt Abele is trying to introduce something different to the local wrestling community.
The former state placer from New Lexington, who now wrestles for Frostburg State in western Maryland, learned of sand wrestling through some former teammates with the 2019 Ohio All-Star team during a trip to Lake Tahoe. He immediately became intrigued. “I don’t remember who it was at the time, but it was just me and my teammates,” Abele said. “The coaches explained the rule set to us and were reffing our matches. We were just having fun with it.”
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Little did he know where it would take him. In October, he will compete in sand wrestling in Egypt.
In the meantime, he is passing his knowledge on to high schoolers during Monday sessions at Lake Isabella. They will be held weekly from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the beach.

The first session was held on July 7 with four eager beavers led by New Lexington teammates Hunter Hinkle and Danny “D.J” Waite.
Abele did the teaching, introducing the rules — matches end after three points — while working mostly on hand fighting and upper body tactics. Points are awarded for takedowns, as well as by pushing an opponent out of bounds or taking them to their backs.
“You can end the match in the one move,” Abele noted. … more at … https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/07/09/kind-of-got-hooked-muskingum-valley-wrestlers-take-to-the-sand/84497198007/

July 11, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized