Swinging against Armon Orlik

Why the top Bernese wrestler Walther is looking forward to his appearance in Graubünden

Adrian Walther travels to the Graubünden-Glarner on Sunday. He is taking the opportunity to test himself against the evil north-eastern Swiss Armon Orlik and Co. before the Federal Wrestling Festival.

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Adrian Walther is one of the contenders for the title of king at the Swiss Wrestling Festival in Mollis GL at the end of August.
On his way to a possible coronation, the two-meter wrestler will compete against the giants of north-eastern Switzerland at the Grisons-Glarus event.
The Bernese athlete talks to blue Sport about his decision to travel to north-eastern Switzerland.

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August 2023: Adrian Walther is very close to the big coup. In the final round at the Unspunnen in Interlaken, he teams up with Samuel Giger. The Bernese then finds his champion in the outstanding north-eastern Swiss.

Since then, Walther has made a few adjustments. "I've worked very well over the last two winters. I was able to make up for my deficits," says Walther to blue Sport. Is he ready for the title of king after losing the final round at the Unspunnen? "I feel very ready for the season."

An initial declaration of intent with regard to the Swiss Wrestling Festival (ESAF) at the end of August, to which Walther is subordinating his season. "It's all in the shadow of the Swiss National. It's an additional motivational boost to push myself to the limit again in training." Walther speaks of an "arms race" before the highlight of the season, which is noticeable in the wrestling scene. Everyone wants to be the best version of themselves in Mollis GL.

Walther ahead of duel against north-eastern Swiss: "There's no point in avoiding each other"

And his path to being the best version of himself leads via north-eastern Switzerland itself. Walther travels to Graubünden and competes against the NOSV giants. In Domat/Ems, he steps into the sawdust ring with the Bündner-Glarner.

Was it a conscious decision to compete with the team from north-eastern Switzerland again before the Swiss National Championships? "No. The idea when planning the season was clearly that there was no point in avoiding each other this year. But taking part in the Bündner-Glarner came about by chance."

Duel against Giger falls through

Walther's club, Schwingklub Worblental, was granted hospitality by Schwingklub Donat/Ems as part of the Graubünden club's 105th anniversary. "It's a cool opportunity. I can probably only attend this festival once in my career," says the Bernese athlete.

At the Anschwingen in Graubünden, Walther will be up against Orlik, who defeated Samuel Giger from Graubünden a week ago. Giger from Thurgau, who defeated Walther in the Unspunnen final round in 2023, will not be there due to a muscle injury.