2024-07-17 12:10:01
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Palmer wrestler Levi Hopkins bet on himself, which his how he went from Alaska State Champion to U23 Pan-American Gold medalist.
“It was always a dream of mine as a kid to wrestle internationally and to represent the United State through that way,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins placed sixth at the U23 National Championships earlier this summer and was ready to prepare for off-season training ahead of his senior year at Campbell University.
“I wasn’t supposed to go to the Pan-American championships or the World Championships,” Hopkins said. “I got a call saying hey, the five guys in front of you didn’t want to go to the Pan-American championships, would you be willing to go? And I was like yeah, absolutely.’”
Hopkins made the most of his opportunity, tearing through the 92-kilogram (202 lb) bracket with a 10-0 win over Argentina’s Ricardo Gomez, a 11-0 win over Erwin Vargas Martinez of Mexico before a 11-1 win in the gold medal match over Colombia’s Marlon Londono.
“I felt good, I was getting to my attacks and scoring, overall I think it was a really good tournament for me. I was really grateful for this opportunity to compete for Team USA it was a dream come true for me.”
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