Kizhan Clarke

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Kizhan Clarke
Personal information
Full nameKizhan Andre Clarke
Born (1997-12-16) December 16, 1997 (age 26)
Wiesbaden, Germany
Home townTampa, Florida, U.S.
Sport
Country United States (2018–2022)
 Germany (2023–present)
SportWrestling
Weight class65 kg (143 lb)
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamTar Heels
ClubTar Heel Wrestling Club
AC Lichtenfels
Coached byRob Koll
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  Germany
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Bucharest 65 kg
Grand Prix
Silver medal – second place 2023 Nice 65 kg
German Nationals
Gold medal – first place 2023 Heidelberg 65 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the North Carolina Tar Heels
NCAA Division I National Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Detroit 141 lb

Kizhan Andre Clarke (born 16 December 1997) is a German-American freestyle wrestler who competes internationally at 65 kilograms.[1] He was a medalist at the European Championship and the Grand Prix Henri Deglane, and was also a NCAA Division I National runner-up out of the University of North Carolina.[2]

Career[edit]

High school[edit]

Clarke was born in Wiesbaden, Germany to an American father and a German mother, and moved to Dallas, Texas at the age of one before moving to Florida in seventh grade.[3] He started wrestling as a freshman at Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, and became a state champion and two-time finalist before graduating.[4]

American University[edit]

2016–2017[edit]

Clarke wore a redshirt during his first year wrestling for the American Eagles, winning over 30 matches and placing at six tournaments.[5]

2017–2018[edit]

Clarke went 16–13 as the team's starter at 141 pounds, and was unable to place at the EIWA Championships or qualify for the NCAA's.[5] After the season, he competed in freestyle at the US Open and the U23 US World Team Trials, but was unable to place.

2018–2019[edit]

Clarke then moved up to 157 pounds, recording a 26–13 record and placing seventh at the EIWA Championships, though missing a trip to NCAA's.[5] After the season, he once again competed at the US Open and the U23 US World Team Trials though was unable to place.[6]

2019–2020[edit]

Dropping down to 149 pounds, Clarke improved to a 35–7 record, placed fourth at the EIWA Championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament.[7] However, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] In November 2020, Clarke went 4–2 at the US U23 National Championships but was unable to place.[9]

University of North Carolina[edit]

2021–2022[edit]

In March 2021, Clarke went 2–2 at the US Last Chance Qualifier, failing to qualify for the US Olympic Team Trials.[10]

After being unable to compete during the 2020–2021 season due to COVID-19 protocols, Clarke transferred to the University of North Carolina for his final year.[10] Back down to 141, Clarke posted a 17–1 record during the regular season before going 0–2 at the ACC Championships, requiring an at-large berth to qualify for the NCAA tournament.[11]

Ranked as the fifteenth-seed, Clarke avenged a loss suffered at the ACC Championship in the first round, and took out returning NCAA finalist Jaydin Eierman to advance to the quarterfinals.[12] After beating the tenth-seed to reach the semi-finals, Clarke defeated the sixth-seed on ultimate tie-breaker to reach the finals.[13] In the finals, Clarke fell to returning champion Nick Lee, though earned runner-up and All-American honors and closed his final year at 21–4.[14]

Germany[edit]

2023[edit]

In January, Clarke returned to freestyle and represented Germany for the first time in international competition, at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane. He defeated fellow NCAA runner-up Ridge Lovett and veteran Evan Henderson to make the finals, where he was defeated by All-American Pat Lugo.[15]

In April, Clarke defeated Niklas Dorn in a best-of-three wrestle-off to determine Germany's starter.[16] He then went 1–1 at the European Championships, defeating Italy's Colin Realbuto though falling to U20 World Champion Erik Arushanian.[17]

In June, Clarke became a German National champion with three wins over fellow countrymen.[18] He then competed at the Stepan Sargsyan Cup in Armenia, defeating an opponent from Kazakhstan before falling to U20 World Champion Peiman Biabani.[19] In July, he competed at the Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial Tournament, though was eliminated by North Carolina teammate Lachlan McNeil.[20]

From September to November, Clarke competed in the German Bundesliga, where he participated in six dual meets for AC Lichtenfels and emerged victorious in four of them.[21]

2024[edit]

In February, Clarke earned a bronze medal from the European Continental Championships, with a notable victory over Individual World Cup and U23 World Champion Vazgen Tevanyan.[22] He competed at the 2024 European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan hoping to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.[23] He was eliminated in his first match and he did not qualify for the Olympics.[23]

Freestyle record[edit]

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2024 European Championships 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win 34–19 Georgia (country) Goderdzi Dzebisashvili 5–3 February 16–17, 2024 2024 European Continental Championships

Romania Bucharest, Romania

Win 33–19 Armenia Vazgen Tevanyan 3–2
Loss 32–19 Russia Gadzhimurad Rashidov 0–6
Win 32–18 North Macedonia Besir Alili Fall
Win 31–18 Germany Danny Mayr TF 16–0 November 25, 2023 2023 KG Baienfurt/Ravensburg – AC Lichtenfels (71 kg)

Germany Germany

Win 30–18 Germany Magomed Kartojev 8–2 November 18, 2023 2023 AC Lichtenfels – SV Wacker Burghausen (71 kg)
Win 29–18 Germany Dawid Volny 7–0 November 4, 2023 2023 ASV Schorndorf – AC Lichtenfels (71 kg)
Loss 28–18 Moldova Nicolai Grahmez 1–9 October 21, 2023 2023 AC Lichtenfels – RSV Rotation Greiz (75 kg)
Win 28–17 Germany Roman Walters TF 17–0 October 2, 2023 2023 AC Lichtenfels – AV Germania Markneukirchen (66 kg)
Loss 27–17 Albania Islam Dudaev 2–10 September 30, 2023 2023 AC Lichtenfels – ASV Schorndorf (66 kg)
2023 Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial 15th at 65 kg
Loss 27–16 Canada Lachlan McNeil 3–5 July 13, 2023 2023 Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial

Hungary Budapest, Hungary

2023 Stepan Sargsyan Cup 7th at 65 kg
Loss 26–15 Iran Peiman Biabani 1–3 June 15–17, 2023 2023 Stepan Sargsyan Cup

Armenia Yerevan, Armenia

Win 26–14 Kazakhstan Timur Aitkulov 11–10
2023 German Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win 25–14 Germany Niklas Dorn 6–1 June 8–11, 2023 2023 Deutsche Meisterschaft Männer

Germany Heidelberg, Germany

Win 24–14 Germany Victor Lyzen 4–0
Win 23–14 Germany Alexander Semisorow 6–4
2023 European Championships 10th at 65 kg
Loss 22–14 Ukraine Erik Arushanian 2–2 April 17, 2023 2023 European Continental Championships

Croatia Zagreb, Croatia

Win 22–13 Italy Colin Realbuto 3–0
2023 German World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg
Win 21–13 Germany Niklas Dorn 6–0 April 1–2, 2023 2023 German World Team Trials

Germany Germany

Win 20–13 Germany Niklas Dorn 4–0
2023 Henri Deglane Grand Prix 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 65 kg
Loss 19–13 United States Pat Lugo 0–7 January 20–22, 2023 Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane 2023

France Nice, France

Win 19–12 United States Evan Henderson 10–8
Win 18–12 United States Ridge Lovett 4–1
Win 17–12 France Quentin Sticker TF 11–0
2021 US Last Chance DNP at 65 kg
Loss 16–12 United States Mitch McKee TF 1–12 March 27, 2021 2021 US Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier

United States Fort Worth, Texas

Loss 16–11 United States Evan Henderson TF 2–13
Win 16–10 United States Dean Heil 9–2
Win 15–10 United States Mitch McKee TF 14–4
2020 U23 US Nationals 4th at 65 kg
Loss 14–10 United States Max Murin TF 0–10 November 13–15, 2020 2020 U23 US National Championships

United States Omaha, Nebraska

Win 14–9 United States Clay Carlson TF 10–0
Loss 13–9 United States Don Demas 3–5
Win 13–8 United States Cael Happel TF 10–0
Win 12–8 United States James Emmer TF 10–0
Win 11–8 United States Tony Mendoza TF 11–0
2019 U23 US World Team Trials DNP at 70 kg
Loss 10–8 United States Benjamin Lamantia TF 0–11 June 1–3, 2019 2019 U23 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Akron, Ohio

Win 10–7 United States Mike Van Brill 5–1
Win 9–7 United States Seth Hogue 7–6
Win 8–7 United States Anthony Scantlin TF 10–0
Loss 7–7 United States Kendall Coleman 3–7
Win 7–6 United States Benjamin Brancale 8–6
Win 6–6 United States Kevin Budock TF 12–1
2019 US Open DNP at 70 kg
Loss 5–6 United States Jake Keating TF 1–12 April 23–26, 2019 2019 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 5–5 United States Zehlin Storr 6–1
Loss 4–5 United States Jason Nolf TF 0–10
Win 4–4 United States Carlos Herrera TF 14–2
2018 U23 US World Team Trials DNP at 70 kg
Loss 3–4 United States Matthew Kolodzik 2–6 June 1–3, 2018 2018 U23 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Akron, Ohio

Loss 3–3 United States Hayden Hidlay TF 0–10
Win 3–2 United States Austin Singer TF 10–0
Win 2–2 United States Sammy Peticos TF 10–0
2018 US Open DNP at 70 kg
Loss 1–2 United States Josh Reyes TF 0–10 April 24–28, 2018 2018 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 1–1 United States Jacob Hatley TF 10–0
Loss 0–1 United States Matthew Kolodzik TF 5–16

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Clarke To Compete In European Championships". University of North Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  2. ^ "March 2024 International Men's Freestyle Rankings". THE FIGHT SITE. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  3. ^ "Lawyer in the Making: Unlocking Ki Zhan Clarke". American University. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  4. ^ "Riverview's Kizhan Clarke makes a name for himself in wrestling". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  5. ^ a b c "Kizhan Clarke – 2020–21 – Wrestling". American University. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  6. ^ "These are the wrestlers outside the top 10 we might see make the NCAA finals | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  7. ^ "Kizhan Clarke Remains Undefeated, Leads Wrestling at Navy Classic". American University. 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  8. ^ Goodwin, Cody. "NCAA cancels Division I, II, III wrestling championships amid COVID-19 pandemic". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  9. ^ Bray, David (2020-11-09). "Who's Registered For 2020 UWW Jr & U23 Nationals?". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  10. ^ a b "UNC Wrestling Adds Kizhan Clarke For 2021–22 Season". University of North Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  11. ^ Hamilton, Andy (2022-03-29). "Overcomers: Kizhan Clarke Laid Down The Law During Run To NCAA Finals". FloWrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  12. ^ NJ.com, Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for (2022-03-18). "NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2022: 8 N.J. wrestlers reach quarterfinals". nj. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  13. ^ "Pitt's Cole Matthews Earns NCAA All-America Status". Pitt Panthers #H2P. 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  14. ^ "Clarke Caps Off Season With Runner Up Finish". University of North Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  15. ^ "American Men's Freestyle Rankings – February 20th, 2023". InterMat. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  16. ^ "Kizhan Clarke To Compete In European Wrestling Championships". Tar Heel Times. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  17. ^ admin (2023-04-28). "3x Bronze für ACL-Eagles". AC Lichtenfels – Bundesliga Ringen (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  18. ^ admin (2023-06-12). "Gold für Hannes Wagner und Kizhan Clarke". AC Lichtenfels – Bundesliga Ringen (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  19. ^ "Stepan Sargsyan Cup 2023 wrestling". uww.org. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  20. ^ jeandaniel. "Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  21. ^ admin (2023-11-26). "22:5 Sieg in Baienfurt. Revanche geglückt!". AC Lichtenfels – Bundesliga Ringen (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  22. ^ admin (2024-02-19). "4 Medaillen bei der Europameisterschaft". AC Lichtenfels – Bundesliga Ringen (in German). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  23. ^ a b "2024 European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament Results Book" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

External links[edit]

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