Over the summer, Jaden Perez competed at the U17 World Championship ahead of his senior year. The tournament took place in Amman, Jordan from Aug. 19-25.
He competed in the Pan American Games at the end of June and made it to the championship.
Perez wrestled at 60 kilograms or 132 pounds. 26 people competed in his weight class.
To prepare for the tournament, Perez wrestled only freestyle with some of the most elite wrestlers in the world. He also lifted three days in a week. Perez was on a strict meal plan to get his weight lower and ensure he got good nutrients.
Perez had some help from his teammate, Del Val senior Lucas Beyers. Beyers practiced with Perez over the summer.
“Although his skill is unmatched, I was able to give him many good workouts,” Beyers said.
Perez was accompanied by his father to the tournament. His teammates and coach, Andy Fitz, couldn’t attend the tournament in person, but they were closely paying attention.
“It’s very different when you’re coaching and in the corner,” Fitz said. “It’s very emotional and people can see you coaching hard. But when you’re sitting on your couch reacting the same way you would as if you were on the side of the mat- it’s just that you’re hundreds or even thousands of miles away, and it’s a little bit of a surreal experience.”
Perez went into the match with a strong mentality.
“Have fun and wrestle smart,” Perez said.
Perez wrestled in two matches. He won the first match against U15 52kg Pan-American silver medalist David Martinez Gambino. However, in the second round, he lost to the U17 60kg Pan-American gold medalist, Manuel Saldate. He took 11th place overall in his weight class.
Perez plans to take wrestling to the next level after high school.
“I want to wrestle at the highest collegiate level D1,” Perez said. “I think the coolest part about getting to wrestle at the World Championship is that I set a goal for myself at the beginning of the year when I found out that I could potentially represent Puerto Rico on the international level. Then go out and accomplish that goal, it was mind-blowing.”
Fitz has high expectations for Perez’s future.
“Jaden has the ability to compete at the highest level in the NCAA Division 1.”
