Wrestler Nico - I can be world number one
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WRESTLER Nico Cojocaru has hailed his “biggest ever achievement” after reaching an all-time high of sixth in the United World Wrestling (UWW) rankings.
It has been an unprecedented year for the ETKO Sports Academy coach who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the World Championships in Kazakhstan.
However he's been supplemented by plenty of podium places – taking gold at the English Championships and Celtic Cup, bronze at the French and Spanish Grands Prix – in addition to his fifth berths at both the World and European Championships.
He beamed: “To be ranked sixth in the world and overtake over countries who have a high level of wrestling, it is a win for the whole nation and I am proud of this.
“For me, all my competitions have a big impact on my career, regardless of the result.
“We all know the quote 'we win or we learn' and I really believe in this.
“But my greatest triumph was at the World Championship in Nur-Sultan – I was so close to making history.
“Of course I can always do better, if I'm not on top of the podium I'll always think to myself that I could achieve more.”
He continued: “My goal at the beginning of the year was to be in the top 10 in Europe and in the world's top 15, given that I've no funding from the government, no support from the Institute of Sport, no training camps and a lack of training partners.
“But I'm happy that I believed in myself and overcame all the obstacles.”
Although he was born in Moldova, Nico has been representing Scotland and Team GB for the last two years after a crowdfunding campaign.
He may not be a superstar back home, he jokes, but he concedes that the low-key regard of wrestling in Britain means his achievements are much more revered back home than on these shores.
However part of his job as a wrestler and a coach is to try and grow the popularity of the sport.
The 32-year-old added: “I hope that one day the young generation of wrestlers will be proud that they are practicing the greatest sport in the world and will break the stereotype that Great Britain can't wrestle.
“I wouldn't say I'm a superstar!
“But in Moldova they always recognise and appreciate my success more than in the UK, sadly.”
Since his long-time pal and mentor Vio Etko competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Nico has had stars in his eyes for the 2022 Games in Birmingham and is prepared to put that dream first.
“My ultimate goal is to be on top of the podium in Birmingham”, he said.
“Now I believe more than ever that 'Everything is Possible'.
“I can't say how soon [I can get to number one in the world] but because of my age I have very limited time.”
He concluded: “I would like to thank who supported me, directly or indirectly.
“But of course my family, the Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation, the ETKO Sports Academy, coaches, Vio Etko and my fans who believed and followed through the journey.
“It means a lot to me - I couldn't achieve all of this without you.”
