Team USA Looks to Make a Splash In this Year’s Competition
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil– Opening ceremonies get underway today in Rio for the 2024 FISU World University Beach Games. Beach wrestling will compete alongside volleyball, handball, and soccer in this global celebration of sand sports.
Team USA’s delegation boasts six members, including one coach/team leader, one official, and four athletes.
Veteran Beach Wrestling national champion Gabe Beauperthuy has traded competition for coaching this season. He brings a wealth of experience in international competitions in several disciplines including beach, belt, grappling, and MMA. Based in Colorado Springs, Beauperthuy has not only competed at the highest levels, but now trains some of the most successful beach wrestlers in the country including national champions Kyle Ferriter and Tyson Beauperthuy.
Four athletes will represent Team USA in competition this week. They include:
Jaimeson Shea– 90kg- Senior, Stony Brook University. 2X national qualifier once at NJCAA and NCWA, 1x regional/ district champion for NJCAA . Finished NCWA season top 14 in the country at 184 pounds in his second year of college wrestling. Also serving as assistant coach for his alma mater “Centereach” high school and also running the middle school program for them as well.
Wayne Lamont– 80kg- Graduate, Stony Brook University. 2X NWCA All- American. Competed in several UWW beach wrestling events ending the 2023 season ranked 6th internationally at 80kg.
Tyson Beauperthuy- 90kg- Jr., Doane University. 2024 U23 Greco-Roman National Champion. 2x US Senior Beach Wrestling champion and a World Series bronze medalist. Currently ranked 16th in the world at 90kg.
Katelyn Lewis- 70kg- Jr. Providence Argos. 2X national qualifier. Fargo All-American, 4x Super 32 All-American. 2023 USA Beach wrestling national champion.
Rounding out the US delegation is official Paul Kruggel. Paul is a veteran of the US Marine Corp. and currently officiates in his home state of Ohio. He has worked as a UWW official for over 20 years and has officiated numerous state and national championship events.
Be sure to follow us on instagram @usa_beach_wrestling or follow the games @fisubeachsports for updates throughout the week. For more information visit the event website HERE.
