Cooper Corder of SPAR Academy won a match against Maine West High School’s Hafid Alicea on April 8, with a score of 14 to 2. A video by The Wrestling Spot taken at Oak Park River Forest High School shows Corder being sucker punched by his opponent as he went in for a post-match handshake.  
https://youtu.be/sMabjgzpQGI?t=135

As seen in the video, Corder (wearing orange) falls to the ground after the unexpected blow from Alicea (wearing blue), who is seen being quickly escorted away by shocked observers.

“I didn’t really understand until he was on the ground,” said Corder’s mother Jillian Hill, who is seen clearly shocked and angry as she made her way to her son. “I didn’t really understand until he was on the ground. And there was probably a three or four second delay of my brain just processing what just happened.”

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Corder, 14, has reportedly suffered a nose injury and will be wearing a protective mask in his following matches. Speaking to TMZ, Spar Academy founder Justin Pearch said that Corder “is making the best of the situation and is already back to training.”

“As you may know, wrestling matches can get heated but nothing leading up to the punch would give cause to such bad decision-making on the opponent’s part. It’s not tolerated in our sport and Spar Wrestling will never condone that behavior,” he told the news outlet.

Corder’s parents are reportedly pressing criminal charges against Alicea, 14, who according to ABC7 has been cited for assault by Oak Park police, under a local ordinance. “The investigation is ongoing and updates on the matter will be provided as available,” the Village of Oak Park said in a statement.

Despite only being 14, Corder has won over 500 wrestling matches since the age of four, making him a highly decorated young wrestler. Both Corder and his mother hope that the viral video does not take away from his accomplishments and dedication to the sport.

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