Swiss wrestling champion Joel Wicki caps off memorable career

Joel Wicki, one of the most successful Swiss wrestlers of his generation, has announced his retirement. The 2022 champion of Swiss wrestling, known as Schwingen, enjoyed a remarkable career marked by spectacular victories as well as repeated setbacks due to injuries. When Wicki stepped into the sawdust ring, one thing was clear: hesitation was not his style. The wrestler from central Switzerland was known for his offensive approach, confidence and willingness to decide a bout quickly. These qualities made the 28-year-old one of the dominant figures of modern Schwingen. Now Wicki has announced his retirement. He is one of only two wrestlers from the Central Switzerland wrestling association ever to be crowned the king of Schwingen (Schwingerkönig). His defining moment came on August 28, 2022, when he defeated Bernese wrestler Matthias Aeschbacher in the final after an intense 12 minutes and 41 seconds. At 25, Wicki reached the pinnacle of a career that was already rich in success.