5th annual National Beach Wrestling Championship draws athletes from around the country

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Athletes from across the country came to Carolina Beach for the fifth annual National Beach Wrestling Championship.

Wrestlers of all ages enjoyed hitting the sand to compete for state and national titles.

Jeff Funicello is an all around wrestler. He was on the U.S. Olympic team for about 16 years as well as several world teams. He says beach wrestling is much different than indoor wrestling.

“Your footing is different. You slip a lot. It really goes back to ancient Greece where if a guy gets knocked down with a hand the guy could spear him,” Funicello said.

And speaking of ancient Greece, the winners of this tournament will go on to compete for the world competition where the sport started: Mount Olympus.