The king enters the ESAF arena

56,500 spectators applauded the wrestlers entering the Glarnerland Arena at the ESAF Glarnerland +.

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The 274 wrestlers entered the Glarnerland Arena in Mollis GL on Saturday morning for the opening of the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival. The Central Swiss were the first section to march in - led by the reigning wrestling king Joel Wicki.

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30.08.2025, 08:31•30.08.2025, 08:34

All 56,500 seats in the world's largest temporary arena were filled at 8 a.m. when the athletes marched in from a total of five federations, divided into the respective Swiss wrestling regions. Six Swiss wrestlers from abroad were also present.

The biggest applause came from the North-East Swiss Wrestling Federation (NOS), based in Glarus. Its member, wrestler Roger Rychen from Mollis, is acting as ambassador for the ESAF in his home village. However, four others from the NOS - Armon Orlik, Samuel Giger, Werner Schlegel and Damian Ott - have royal potential.