USA WRESTLING REVIEWING INCIDENT AT BEAT THE STREETS - CHICAGO TOURNAMENT

(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, April 19, 2023) A recent incident between two minors at the Beat the Streets - Chicago Developmental Freestyle / Greco Tournament on April 8 in Oak Park, Illinois, has been referred to USA Wrestling (USAW), the governing body for amateur wrestling in the US, and USA Wrestling / Illinois (USAW/IL), the state affiliate.

The incident occurred between two wrestlers from visiting clubs outside the Beat the Streets - Chicago network competing at a Beat the Streets-Chicago hosted tournament when one wrestler struck the other at the conclusion of a match.

Beat the Streets - Chicago strongly condemns such behavior, which conflicts with our mission of empowering youth through wrestling.  Mike Powell, Executive Director of Beat the Streets Chicago, said, “We are very disappointed that this happened at one of our tournaments, which are meant to provide young people with opportunities to grow and compete in a positive, safe environment.  We are relieved to know that the young man injured is recovering and we have taken the necessary actions to let the authorities determine next steps.”

Beat the Streets - Chicago operates as a chartered club within the USAW system and adheres to all USAW policies. When the incident occurred, Beat the Streets - Chicago followed incident-reporting protocol and referred the matter to USAW and USAW/IL. USAW and USAW/IL have strict policies in place to protect youth which include standards for athlete behavior. All wrestlers, regardless of wrestling club, who are registered for a Beat the Streets - Chicago tournament must be members of the USAW system to compete and must comply with all safety protocols agreed to as a condition of membership.  USAW and USAW/IL have jurisdiction over the matter and will determine next steps, including possible suspension of the athlete from the sport.

For questions, please contact Executive Director, Mike Powell.

Beat the Streets - Chicago is a nonprofit organization based in IL.  With a mission of empowering youth through wrestling, we serve over 2,500 young people in the Chicagoland area through wrestling and related enrichment programming.  Learn more about our organization at btschicago.org.