| Kalika named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Sept. 1-7 |
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 By Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/08/2009
Valentin Kalika (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Valentin Kalika WC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Sept 1-7.
Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.
Kalika won a gold medal at 69 kg/152 lbs. in Division D (51-55 years old), during the second day of action at the Veterans World Greco-Roman Championships on September 5.
Kalika defeated N. Ilvevicius of Lithuania in the finals, 7-0, 1-0. In the semifinals, he stopped past Veterans World champion Igiz Shaydullin of Russia, 1-0, 0-2, 2-0.
Kalika returned to the mat for the first time in over two decades at the 2009 U.S. Veterans National Championships, where he won a national title. He coached at a club in California while his son was competing, and now that his son has retired, Valentin decided to return to competition this year.
Kalika was the only U.S. wrestler to win a gold medal during the weekend. The United States claimed four total medals.
Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org
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