Werner Schlegel is one of the favorites at the Federal Anniversary Wrestling Festival. Before the highlight of the season, the Toggenburg native talks about the festival, his wrestling style and the parallels with Jörg Abderhalden.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- Werner Schlegel is competing at the Federal Anniversary Wrestling Festival in Appenzell without a goal. "I just want to put on a good festival," says Schlegel.
- Schlegel belongs to the same club as three-time wrestling king Jörg Abderhalden and sees parallels. The two are in regular contact, he says. Nevertheless, Schlegel wants to go his own way and not be a "mini Abderhalden".
- Next Sunday, Schlegel will meet Fabian Staudenmann at the Anschwingen. blue Sport will be reporting live.
Werner Schlegel is one of the best wrestlers in the country. The 21-year-old has won three wreath festivals this year. For example, the Toggenburg native left season dominator Fabian Staudenmann behind him at the Schwarzsee-Schwinget after being defeated in the first round, while Unspunnen winner Samuel Giger also found no match for the trained carpenter on the Stoos.
Schlegel is one of the favorites at the Federal Anniversary Wrestling Festival in Appenzell. "I don't want to put any pressure on myself", Schlegel tells the news agency "Keystone-SDA" ahead of the season highlight. He has not set himself a target and wants to take it one course at a time "and simply put on a good party".
No opponent too big, parallels to Jörg Abderhalden
The competition is fierce. With Fabian Staudenmann, Samuel Giger, Joel Wicki, Adrian Walther and Armon Orlik, there are other strong wrestlers at the start - the list is not exhaustive. Strong opponents or not, Schlegel knows: "If everything comes together, I can beat any opponent."
Schlegel trains at the Wattwil wrestling club, the same club that Jörg Abderhalden, three-time wrestling king, belongs to. The parallels between the two are striking. Both won their first wreath very young - at the age of 16. By the age of 22, both had collected a similar number of wreaths: Abderhalden 36, Schlegel 34.
But the parallels between the two Toggenburgers go beyond wreaths: "In addition to their origins, careers and physical abilities, there are similarities in the way they wrestle," says Schlegel. He mentions the technical versatility. "Whether swinging on the ground, swinging from a standing position with turns to the left and right - the repertoire is vast."
Schlegel regularly exchanges ideas with Abderhalden. The former top wrestler is always giving him tips. Despite the parallels, Schlegel does not want to be a "mini Abderhalden": "I want to develop my own style of wrestling and go my own way."
Schlegel goes his own way. No matter what the cost. "I have a thick head. If I want something badly enough, then I'll see it through."
Schlegel starts off against top favorite Staudenmann
Even if he hasn't set himself a target for the Federal Jubilee Wrestling Festival, it's hard to assume that the explosive wrestler wants to win every round. Schlegel will start off against top favorite Staudenmann. A duel that has already taken place twice this year. At Schwarzsee, the two of them squared off, at Schwägalp Schlegel slipped on the sawdust and lost. Both fights were highly intense, attractive and could have gone either way.
Ahead of the showdown between the country's best wrestlers, Schlegel says: "Every opponent has a back." blue Sport will be reporting live on the day. The 1st round starts on Sunday at 8 am.
