TEMPE – Anthony Valencia plans to continue his professional wrestling journey wearing the green, white and red of Mexico, his family's native country. The two-time All-American and 2021 Pac-12 Outstanding Wrestler honoree announced his decision Thursday that he is entering the Federación Medallistas de Luchas Asociadas (FEMELA) National Grand Prix Qualifier (74 kg freestyle) in hope of joining the Mexican National Team. It is the first step to officially wrestling for Mexico.
The National Grand Prix runs Dec. 17-20 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, 61 miles south of Mexico City.
"I think it's really cool to be wrestling for the country that my family is from," Valencia said. "The culture of it - I feel like it is a different type of energy and I'm excited to be a part of that and continue doing what I do best."
Men's freestyle competition starts on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m., followed by semifinals at 5 p.m., and finals beginning at 6 p.m. with the freestyle awards to follow.
Valencia is 7-0 this season with three pins and a tech fall victory, and he holds a 107-26 all-time record at ASU. He's currently No. 6/8 in the country at 165 (InterMat/FloWrestling) and last season he earned his fourth Pac-12 title, becoming just the fourth Sun Devils to ever do so.
National Grand Prix Qualifier "All Stars 2021"
Dec. 17-20 | Oaxtepec, Morelos
Valencia's schedule :
Saturday 18 (Oaxtepec is one hour ahead of Arizona, all times local)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. freestyle competitions
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. break
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. freestyle semi finals
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. freestyle finals
7:30 p.m. freestyle awards
The National Grand Prix runs Dec. 17-20 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, 61 miles south of Mexico City.
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— Anthony Valencia (@Air_Valencia) December 10, 2021
"I think it's really cool to be wrestling for the country that my family is from," Valencia said. "The culture of it - I feel like it is a different type of energy and I'm excited to be a part of that and continue doing what I do best."
Men's freestyle competition starts on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m., followed by semifinals at 5 p.m., and finals beginning at 6 p.m. with the freestyle awards to follow.
Valencia is 7-0 this season with three pins and a tech fall victory, and he holds a 107-26 all-time record at ASU. He's currently No. 6/8 in the country at 165 (InterMat/FloWrestling) and last season he earned his fourth Pac-12 title, becoming just the fourth Sun Devils to ever do so.
National Grand Prix Qualifier "All Stars 2021"
Dec. 17-20 | Oaxtepec, Morelos
Valencia's schedule :
Saturday 18 (Oaxtepec is one hour ahead of Arizona, all times local)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. freestyle competitions
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. break
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. freestyle semi finals
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. freestyle finals
7:30 p.m. freestyle awards
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— Anthony Valencia (@Air_Valencia) December 10, 2021