Ridgefield’s Dollins adds international beach wrestling medal to his collection

Ridgefield’s Mark Dollins, right, practices with American Mike Clark, left, in February for the Open Masters Games in the UAE. (Photo courtesy Mike Clark)

Ridgefield’s Mark Dollins has won four USA Wrestling national championships throughout his wrestling career along with a beach wrestling national title at the USA Wrestling 2024 Beach Nationals in California.

Dollins, 65, added an international medal to his collection in February with a second place finish in beach wrestling at the Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

More than 23,000 competitors in 37 sports competed in the UAE’s capital city in February. Competitors had to be at least 30 to participate in the event.

Dollins faced in a best-of-3 series against Israel’s Dmitry Eydelman in the 90 kilogram (198 pounds) weight class in the 55-and-over division. Eydelman swept the series with a pair of victories.

“Beach wrestling is gaining a lot of traction in the U.S. and abroad – especially for masters athletes because it’s a high-action, quick-scoring style that is easier on the body,” said Dollins, whose most recent Masters folkstyle national title came in 2023. “Takedowns and push outs are worth one point each and throws are for three points. First to three wins, and you’re moving.”

Dollins, who also coaches at Southside Wrestling Club in Bridgeport, also competed in Jiu Jitsu at 94 kilograms (207 pounds) at the Open Masters Games and finished first in the 55 and over category.

Mike Clark of Louisville, Kentucky won gold in beach wrestling in the 35 and up division at 80 kilograms (176 pounds). He went 4-0 and didn’t allow a point.

A former member of the USA’s Senior world team, Clark is the first American male to win a Masters beach wrestling world championship at the Open Masters Games.

“The level of masters competition in Abu Dhabi was high and I see our U.S. local and national events continuing to rise,” Clark said. “We’re seeing more athletes, better matches, and more opportunities to compete at a high level.”

The U.S. presence at the Open Masters Games was supported by USA Beach Wrestling National Director Ed Duncan, who provided custom team gear and helped facilitate athlete participation after initial discussions with Clark in late summer.

Information from USA Beach Wrestling.com was included in this report.