PHANTOM STREET FIGHTER MEDIA The 1st ANNUAL MLK WRESTLING TOURNAMENT 2009 MLK “All Hail King of the Mat Crowned”

Posted on | December 8, 2009 | No Comments

The 1st Annual 2009 Martin Luther King “King of the Mat” Invitational Championship finals lived up to its great expectation in showcasing the most spectacular matches in the Inland Empire area. The Toughest Wrestlers “Man up” to determine who could respond to the challenge “King of the Mat”! The MLK “King of the Mat” showcased some of the most talented wrestlers in the Southern California area.

Two King wrestlers were Crowned “King of the Mat”. Winners of the respected tournament included leaders of the pack, freshman sensation Matt L’Huiller at 103 and senior Cody Hancock at 130. Matt L’Huiller left nothing on the mat as he pinned his adversary Mehari Teweldebrahn in the finals. Cody Hancock had 3 falls with a major decision in the finals. The King Wrestling Program placed 14 wrestlers of it high court to finish as runner up tournament champions to team leader Paloma Valley.

The King Tournament finals featured one of the most outstanding 125 pounders in the State as well as the nation when Chris Mecate of Redlands East Valley high school dispensed of 4 CIF place winners including his teammate Nick Chavez in the finals. Mecate was also selected as the tournaments lower weight class MVP. Santiago’s Cody Smith was selected as upper weight MVP after pinning his opponent Pete Lopez, Tahquitz in the finals. CIF Champion Mat “Get Down with Dat” Guevara of Citrus Hills was another locale talented wrestler who was crowned Championship King of the Mat!

The crowd was further impressed with the inspirational MLK Junior Justin Williams who tragically lost his leg to Cancer at age 5 making his disability his ability in wowing the crowd with his heroic talents and courage in wrestling with one leg. Justin placed third as did team mates Giovanni Castillo, Karras Jackson, Zach Dale and Ryan Rosales. The Riverside wrestling community was delighted with the introduction of the next generation of Kistlers as King Freshman Harlan Kistler II placed fourth. Harlan Kistler II is the heir to the great Kistler tradition and one of the most successful wrestling families in the state of California and the nation.

Each year the MLK Wrestling Invitational invites select wrestling teams and their programs from around the state and the county in converging to the wrestling Mecca of Riverside to determine who is the Inland Empires toughest wrestlers! For your wrestling fan information many of the great champions of the MLK Invitational Tournament have developed from the grassroots wrestling organization of Kistlers Dungeon a youth wrestling program located in Riverside, Ca.

The tournament great success was due to its superior competition and its outstanding referees. Many were impressed with the fantastic medals and trophies as well as its excellent venue. Comments from many of the spectators and participant spoke very favorable of this tournament. Personality Shawn Goodsite electrified the crowd with his MC talents to move the crowd at the tournament. Each individual champion was crowned “King of the Mat”!!