Youth wrestler who sucker-punched opponent cited for assault

A high school wrestler who sucker punched his opponent is now dealing with the consequences.

Hafid Alicea, who clocked Cooper Corder after losing their eighth-grade wrestling match, has been cited for assault, according to TMZ.

Alicea received the citation on Thursday after admitting to officers he punched Corder because “he was angry that he had lost the match,” the Oak Park Police Department told the outlet.

All parties cooperated with the investigation, according to the report.

The incident occurred in Oak Park, Ill. at the 2023 Beat the Streets Developmental FS Tournament on April 8.

It was a third-place match in the 125-128-pound weight class.

Corder attends SPAR Academy, while Alicea attends Maine West High School.

Corder, who was wearing an orange singlet, defeated Alicea, who was wearing a blue singlet, 14-2 in the match.

As Corder attempted to shake hands with Alicea following the victory, Alicea subsequently met him with his fist.

Alicea now faces potential fines and other penalties, according to TMZ.

“[Corder] is making the best of the situation and is already back to training,” SPAR Academy founder Justin Pearch previosuly told TMZ. “As you may know, wrestling matches can get heated but nothing leading up to the punch would give cause to such bad decision-making on the opponent’s part.

“It’s not tolerated in our sport and Spar Wrestling will never condone that behavior.”