Hafid Alicea, an Illinois youth wrestler, was cited for assault after sucker punching his opponent at an Oak Park event. The police department told TMZ that the 14-year-old is facing fines and penalties depending on the outcome of an adjudication hearing next month.
Alicea admitted to punching his opponent Cooper Corder after losing a wrestling match on April 8. The footage of the incident went viral on social media. Several wrestling fans were disappointed.
Disgusting footage from #wrestling match in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Here is Hafid Alicea (Maine West HS) SUCKER PUNCHING Cooper Corder (SPAR Wrestling Academy) after losing 14-2.
Even worse, he fakes a hand shake and then floors Corder after their Freestyle match for 3rd place. pic.twitter.com/UryZ3O5P1M
— Talen Guzman (@TalenGuzman) April 18, 2023
“Unsportsmanlike conduct‼️ Cooper Corder (SPAR Wrestling Academy) defeated Hafid Alicea (Maine West High School) during the “Beat The Streets” tournament wrestling,” a Twitter user said.
“If it was up to me, the kid in blue would NEVER wrestle again. That’s what we call criminal assault and battery,” a second one added.
“Hafid Alicea should be ARRESTED & BANNED from from participating in any wrestling tournaments for LIFE!” a third one tweeted.
The Oak Park Police Department said that Alicea was officially issued the citation on Thursday. He has been charged with assault under a local ordinance.
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Who is Hafid Alicea?
Hafid Alicea is a 14-year-old wrestler from Illinois. He is the eighth grade at the Maine West High School.
Alicea competed against Corder of SPAR Wrestling Academy in a freestyle match. The bout ended with a score of 14-2.
When the referee called the two boys to shake hands, Alicea faked a handshake before throwing a sucker punch.
Police said they were called to the Oak Park-River Forest High School fieldhouse in response to the incident on April 8 just after 4 PM.
“I didn’t want to retaliate… And I didn’t want to get hit again…. At these next couple of tournaments, I’m going to be known as the kid who got punched… But I don’t want that to oversee all of my accomplishments. I would love to wrestle at a Division I level and accomplish other things I want to in life, like Olympic gold medals and all of that,” the victim said.
