While it may be a stretch to suggest the actions of a high school wrestler displaying disgustingly poor sportsmanship is a reflection on society as a whole in the year 2023, an incident that took place recently in Illinois calls to mind a lack of values that resonates in America today.
After being defeated handily in a match, Hafid Alicea of Maine West High School viciously sucker-punched the victor, Cooper Corder of SPAR Wrestling Academy, who defeated him 14-2.
Captured on video, the referee can be seen bringing the competitors to the center of the mat for the traditional handshake at the end of a match, and that’s when Alicea feigned an attempt to shake Corder’s hand only to then blast him with a hard punch to the face. With Corder not expecting such a cowardly act, the blow landed squarely and dropped him to the canvas as the referee quickly pushed Alicea away.
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
The incident took place during the “Beat The Streets” wrestling tournament on Apr. 8 at Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, according to Fox News. The network said police are investigating the assault.
The full match can be seen here, with Corder clearly dominating against Alicea:
Here is the FULL match between Hafid Alicea (Maine West HS) and Cooper Corder (SPAR Wrestling Academy). Corder won the 3rd-place match via technical (14-2) but was assaulted immediately after the bout.
Oak Park PD were allegedly involved & are currently investigating. #wrestling pic.twitter.com/jG0VOGqskV
— Talen Guzman (@TalenGuzman) April 18, 2023
A social media user responded to the post above to say Corder is friends with her nephew and that he suffered a broken nose from the cheap shot and that he is recovering well:
This happened about 2 weeks ago. Cooper has a broken nose and parents filed assault charges. Cooper is my nephews friend, he’s doing good and recovering.
— CherriMartini✝️ (@MartiniCherri) April 19, 2023
The incident resulted in some interesting responses from social media users, with all agreeing the defeated wrestler’s actions were uncalled for… here’s a quick sampling from Twitter:
Loser in and out of the ring.
— Jenn (@Jenn3Chi) April 19, 2023
They should sue the kids parents for the OOP medical expenses & pain & suffering. That can be done in small claims w/o a lawyer depending on the jurisdiction’s maximum limit. $10K in Illinois iirc.
— Testify (@RepAllDogs) April 19, 2023
Relax; I went to private catholic school and I’ve seen something on par with this while playing sports multiple times. Evil is certainly a stretch. Punishment, sure, but they’re kids.
— Asuma Sarutobi (@NicKaree33) April 19, 2023
It’s alive and well. Thousands of wrestling matches happen every year and despite the physical and personal nature of the sport, the combatants shake hands with each other and the opposing coaches after every single one of them. Sportsmanship is at its best in wrestling.
— John Neagle (@JohnNeagle7) April 19, 2023
Sigh…the reality is that there are consequences. Prayers for both. One is obvious, the other more important.
— Michael Kuk (@Michael_J_Kuk) April 19, 2023
Agree with two of the three but can’t hold coach accountable unless it’s a repeat occurrence.
— Bob Brooks (@Gossamer2121) April 18, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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