Wrestler Nixon Suddens this year had the privilege of being nominated as one of six Kiwi athletes to attend the annual Journeymen International Classic, in New York earlier this year.  He came away ranked third in the 145A lbs division having wrestled athletes from around the world most of them world class for their age and weight.

This unique event for Junior and Cadet boys, is held at the Union College Fieldhouse in Schenectady, uses a round-robin format, and featured top U.S. athletes and competitors from Armenia, Finland, France, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Peru and Uzbekistan - all strong wrestling nations.

The team coached by Pete Pouri-Lane with the assistance of Gloria Suddens and Mark Harding included a training camp and the experience of having a variety of international coaches teach technique and drills.  

Back home Nixon has an impressive honours board that have made him “top of the class” for U20 freestylers on both sides of the ditch. 

Selection in the NZ Freestyle Wrestling team at the U17 World Championships
Australia Freestyle Wrestling Nationals, 1st Place (U20yo)
Australia Freestyle Wrestling Nationals, 1st place (U17yo)
Sydney Freestyle Wrestling Superseries, 1st Place (U17yo)
Sydney Freestyle Wrestling Superseries, 1st Place (senior\open age)
Bay of Plenty Wrestling Championships, 1st Place (u20yo).