PERRYSBURG, Ohio — UPDATE: Perrysburg wrestler Marcus Blaze won the gold medal in his weight class (55 kg) at the 2023 U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday. He defeated Ankush Ankush of India by a 4-3 decision to claim the first USA title in Yellow Jacket history.
Three days after his worldly performance, dozens of supporters greeted Blaze outside Perrysburg High School as he returned home. Children held up signs while some adults carried American flags.
"You know, it meant a lot. It really reassured how many people are behind me and what I do," the 16-year-old Blaze said. "I really wanted to prove a point that I can go overseas and wrestle with all the other international wrestlers. Actually beat them and show that I belong."
With his most recent win, Blaze now moves one step closer to a shot at the Olympics. In December, he will compete in a U.S. Open tournament in Dallas and attempt to qualify for Team USA Olympic Trials.
A two-time OHSAA State champion at 113 pounds and 120 pounds already, Blaze will also aim for a 3-peat next spring at the high school level.
ORIGINAL STORY:
There are not many stages of wrestling where Marcus Blaze, 16, hasn't flourished. Next week, however, he will be representing Perrysburg overseas.
The No. 1-ranked 126-pound wrestler, according to FloWrestling, has earned a spot at the 2023 U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Blaze is a part of Team USA's Freestyle team and will compete in the 55-kilogram weight class.
"I'm super excited and I feel like I'm prepared, so that excites me even more," Blaze said. "Haven't wrestled overseas ever so it'll be a new experience and I'm going to soak everything in."
According to his family, he's the first Yellow Jacket to compete in the event and is seeded No. 4 among his weight class. In 2023 alone, Blaze has already won a national championship (which earned him a spot at Worlds) and a State Championship (second overall).
Now, he hopes to add world champion to his resume.
"It's definitely like a flex I would say," Blaze said. "It's something cool that you can say you represented a great county."
Blaze is labeled as one of the top recruits in the country and this trip serves as another opportunity toward Olympic goals. He chose to forego another trip to Fargo, North Dakota, where he won a national title last summer, so that he could experience the weight of a world stage.
"I know a lot of people have said that it's awesome over in Istanbul, Turkey, it's a place to see," Blaze said. "It's definitely different after watching some stuff and listening to some people talk. I just want to go over and see how different it is."
Blaze will begin the competition on Aug. 4.