The police have opened an investigation after an Illinois youth wrestler sucker punched his opponent after he lost.
Cooper Corder, of the SPAR Wrestling Academy, defeated Hafid Ailia, of Maine West High School, during the “Beat The Streets Tournament” on April 8, at Oak Park River Forest High School, in Oak Park (Ill.). The final score of the match was 14-2.
The referee, as is the custom in wrestling – he invited Corder and the other wrestler to the middle of the mat for a handshake.
Alicea, who was going to shake Corder’s hand, instead punched him in the face and sent him to the ground.
Disgusting footage from #wrestling match in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Here is Hafid Alicea (Maine West HS) SUCKER PUNCHING Cooper Corder (SPAR Wrestling Academy) after losing 14-2.
Even worse, he fakes a hand shake and then floors Corder after their Freestyle match for 3rd place. pic.twitter.com/UryZ3O5P1M
— Talen Guzman (@TalenGuzman) April 18, 2023
Parents rushed to the mat immediately and were clearly not pleased. The referee ensured that nothing escalated when the parents started screaming at Alicea.
Corder reportedly broke his nose in the punch. According to TMZ Sports, he will not need to wear a face mask at upcoming events.
Justin Pearch, the founder of SPAR Academy, told TMZ Sports that he was already back in training.
As you know, wrestling matches are often heated. However, nothing that preceded the punch could have caused the opponent to make such a bad decision.
Spar Wrestling does not condone this behavior.
A spokesperson from the Oak Park Police Dept. TMZ Sports reported on Tuesday that the parents of both minors were cooperating in the investigation.
