— PeterHammer,Texoma-area Wrestling Coach, competed in the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial as Costa Rica’s National Champion & World Team Member in Freestyle Wrestling (57kg). This prestigious and grueling tournament is United World Wrestling’s fourth and final ranking series for wrestling in 2025.
The competition allows wrestlers to earn ranking points, so that they can achieve better seeding for the Senior World Wrestling Championships set for Zagreb, Croatia from September 13-21, 2025.
On Thursday, there were seven men’s freestyle weight classes contested (57 kg, 61 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg). Those freestyle bouts brought many stunning upsets in the field of 156 freestyle wrestlers from 33 countries. The remaining weight classes (74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg), women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestled later in the week.
Georgia’s Senior Men’s Freestyle Wrestling Team won gold with a team score of 105, followed by the USA (102) and Azerbaijan (100).
Hammer lost in the firstround qualifiers by pin in 59 seconds to Luka Gvinjilia of Georgia, who is a multiple bronze medalist in U20 and U23 European & World Championships. Their match began with an unexplained 90-second delay by officials, as both Hammer and Gvinjilia paced on the mat, mentally preparing for battle. Gvinjilia finished 7th ontheday.Hammerremains top 50 in the world at 57kg Freestyle.
In many ways, Hammer noted that the level of wrestling was mind-blowingly elite at this tournament; possibly better than what he experienced at the Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania, last year.
“My experience at the RankingSerieswasamazing. Representing Costa Rica and stepping on the mat with elite wrestlers from around the world was a huge mental and physical game changer for me and for Fedeluchas Costa Rica,” Hammer reflected. “In mymind,losingisneveraloss when I focus on learning the exact right things to become better in the process. My goal now is making adjustments in strategy when wrestling across the pond.”
“It’s a blessing to take part in such a well-organized event and an honor to share cultures, network, and fellowship with these generous and passionate wrestlers,” Hammer added. “Truly an experience one never forgets. Ultimately, all of the glory of this unforgettable experience will forever belong to God the Father and Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.”
To that end, Hammer is already focusing on his participation intheSeniorWorld Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in September. He spent his remaining time in Budapest in gratitude studying wrestlers in subsequent matches, cross-trained, and drilled with many of his former competitors.
Inhissparetime,Hammer was cheering on three of his clubwrestlerswhorepresented Team Oklahoma in the 2025USMCJuniorNationals in Fargo, ND. One of those wrestlers, Lucas Franklin of Coalgate, is the winner of the Triple Crown: State Champ three times over in Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco. Another, Gage Vaughn of Caddo, is the only junior girl in any weight bracket from Southern Oklahoma to qualify for Fargo. The third is Alex Sarabia, Madill’s first and only wrestler to qualify for Fargo and go to represent Team Oklahoma. All three youth wrestlers broke their personal best records.
With each international appearance,Hammerfocuses on changing the tide for Costa Rican wrestling. His top-five finish previously at the Pan-American Championships in May 2025 and his Bronze at the Grand Prix of Spain just weeks ago is putting a spotlight on and giving international credibility to Costa Rica. As a by-product, credibility to Texoma-area wrestling.
A native of Costa Rica adopted out of extreme poverty from an orphanage into the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Hammer has deep roots in both Texas and Oklahoma wrestling. Hammer has been coached by some of the finest in the sport: Roger Frizzell, John Smith, Andre Metzger, Zach Esposito, Jamill Kelly and Kenny Monday. His continued success not just in wrestling, but also in the academic and corporate verticals prove that excellence doesn’t stop at the whistle.
Hammer’s mission is to give back to youth wrestlers in both Oklahoma and Costa Rica from his knowledge and experience. His focus here in Oklahoma?Teachingthebest Freestyle and Greco Roman techniques to dominate in Folkstyle for State Tournaments and Opens.
Courtesy photos