For most people, competing in a world championship would be an accomplishment in and of itself. For senior Tyson Beauperthuy, though, not only did he get to compete in the 2024 Beach Wrestling World Championships, he left a world champion in the 90 kg weight class, winning 3-1, 3-0 and 3-0 in his matches to clinch the title.
“The emotions were just gratefulness as I was very pleased with how I wrestled and honestly felt happier when I won my first match 3-1 as I haven’t got scored on in beach wrestling in quite some time. So I was very excited as being down 1-0 created a rush or urgency and adrenaline to chip back and win the match,” Beauperthuy said.
Beauperthuy took the USA Beach Wrestling title to clinch a spot in the championships that took place in Brazil. Beauperthuy trains year-round in the event with a sandpit in his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Beauperthuy credits his training in uncomfortable situations that prevented him from being flustered or worried come tournament time.
“I would train in a lot of positions where I was vulnerable and attempt getting comfortable while being uncomfortable. My game plan during the tournament was honestly just to have fun beforehand and not focus too much on the tournament,” Beauperthuy said. “I just took it one day at a time and focused on what was next, whether that be as simple as getting breakfast. When it came to competition, I did exactly that and just took it by one opponent at a time and visualized going out there and getting takedowns in a variety of positions.”
Beauperthuy plans on using this success in both beach wrestling, the silver medal he acquired during the Pan American Championships, and his selection on the world team for USA in Greco-Roman wrestling as fuel for his senior year of wrestling. Despite his successful summer, Beauperthuy plans on sticking to the basics: trusting his coaches, showing up at practice and keeping away distractions.
“I plan on just continuing what I’ve done all summer as I just took it one day at a time as a senior. I just want to do everything right this season as I just want to be happy regardless of the results at the end of the season knowing I gave it my absolute best. It’s very easy to overthink the sport and impact your performance, so I kind of just dumb things down and force myself to just wrestle in no particular direction,” Beauperthuy said.
Beauperthuy and the rest of Doane Wrestling start competition on Oct. 26 at the York Open in York, Nebraska, for men and the Friends Open in Wichita, Kansas, on Nov. 1 for women.
