Metropolitan Wrestling Association

When you review the history of wrestling in New York City, the N.Y. Athletic Club immediately stands out. Wrestling began at the NYAC in the late 1880's where wrestlers representing the “winged foot” consistently won Olympic and National medals.

In 1929 an Oklahoman, Merl Thrush took over coaching at the NYAC. For 41 years Merl and his assistant Harry Barr dominated the sport in local and national competitions.

However, in the late 1940's and 1950's the Westside YMCA, led by its heavyweight, Henry Wittenberg, started to overcome the NYAC. Wittenberg was one of American's greatest wrestlers, winning seven national championships, a silver medal in the 1952 Olympics and a gold in 1948.

During this period several other trong teams began to emerge in the region. Besides the NYAC and the West-side YMCA, top wrestlers competed for the McBurney YMCA, the Brooklyn Central YMCA and the Long Island Wrestling Club. These teams were coached by wrestling leaders such as John Mandel in New York and Tom Harvey in Long Island.

In 1956, Bill Farrell joined the NYAC and began assisting Merl Thrush in 1958. In the 1960's Farrell took over as head coach and established a string of 10 competitive national championships between 1966 and 1975.Farrell was a world team member in 1962, and coached the U.S. Olympic F/S Team in 1972.

In the mid 1970's Bill Farrell passed the wrestling duties at the NYAC to Sonny Greenhalgh. Greenhalgh became very active in all areas of metropolitan wrestling particularly in the age group categories throughout Long Island. In the 1980's Sonny was elected as a board member of the newly established governing body of wrestling in America, USA Wrestling. While coaching the NYAC, Sonny also with head coach Chic Murano produced two Olympic champions in 1984, Bobby Weaver at 105 lbs. and Bruce Baumgartner at heavyweight.

Also during this period a group of wrestling enthusiasts under the leadership of Sonny and Setrak Agonian organized the Metropolitan Wrestling Association (MWA), incorporated in 1984. Set was very influential in attracting international teams to NYC and with the MWA they successfully staged many international events. Setrak was also elected Marketing Commission of FILA.

The Metropolitan Wrestling Association, presenters of the "Wrestling Summit", consists of representatives from the schools and clubs, which produce the wrestlers in this area. The organization helps train teachers, run tournaments, and encourage wrestling at all levels, including children's, juniors, open and masters.

The MWA encourages recreational wrestler who wrestles once a week and also the serious competitor at world-class levels. In four “Wrestling Summit” the organization has helped bring international wrestling to New York Russian teams visited in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1990. Bulgaria sent outstanding wrestlers in 1987. Armenia visited for first time as independant country in 1990. In 1998 at the Goodwill games at New York, Wrestling was not included, but Setrak Agonian intervented and Wrestling became the most attended and publicised sport event.

In addition to 2003 World Wrestling Championships, the MWA is also actively working to bring the World Cup, the Olympic games to New York in 2012.

To help the growth of the sport, the MWA actively seeks corporate funding. For more information contact the NYC Metropolitan Wrestling Association, Inc. Box 770661, 37-28 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377.