Humboldt to host Gotch World Catch Tournament July 15
Raul Ramirez (left), director of the Catch Wrestling Alliance, gives instructions during a demonstration on the sport of catch wrestling on July 2, 2016, at Bicknell Park in Humboldt. Ramirez is excited to bring the Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament to Humboldt again this summer. The event will be held on Saturday, July 15, starting at 10 a.m. Independent photo by Phil Monson.
The Frank Gotch World Catch Wrestling Tournament will be held in Humboldt on Saturday, July 15, starting at 10 a.m. inside the Humboldt High School gym.
Raul Ramirez, director of the Catch Wrestling Alliance based out of Los Angeles, says he is excited to bring the event back to Humboldt for the second straight year. The event was held in Los Angeles the first two years.
"I'm excited to be able to bring the event back to Humboldt, hometown of wrestling legend Frank Gotch. We had people from all around the United States and Canada in Humboldt last year," Ramirez said. "Last year the opportunity for people to compete and do it in Humboldt and in the Midwest, where wrestling is strong, made it special for everyone involved."
"We just opened the registration and the men's heavyweight division is full and the light heavyweight division is almost full," Ramirez said. "This year we will have a wrestler come from Singapore to compete in the women's division. We will keep on promoting the event to see who will fill out the light weight brackets."
"Competitors have been talking about their experience last year and there has been a lot of positive about their experience visiting Humboldt. Video footage of the event last year has been viewed hundreds of times on social media. Catch wrestling is really taking ahold around the world and people are excited to get involved in the sport. People from mixed martial arts and other forms of competition are finding out that catch wrestling is a true form of wrestling," Ramirez said. "The nostalgia of having it in Humboldt is pretty special."
"I really liked the atmosphere in Humboldt last year. It is amazing to see the Frank Gotch statue in the park where he trained over 100 years ago when he was a world champion. You can see his home, the farm where he grew up and the family mausoleum where he is buried on the edge of town. The history makes it special to be in Humboldt," Ramirez said. "Not only do you have history by holding the event in Humboldt, but the people who were there really appreciate the sport of wrestling. They understand everything that is going on."
Advance ticket sales will be $6 for adults, $3 for youth ages 10-18 and children under 10 are admitted free. A list of local business who will provide tickets will be listed in the near future.
