It could be the final question in a well-endowed quiz show: Who was the last wrestler from outside the Bern region to triumph in a federal showdown?
Answer: Daniel Bösch from St. Gallen, who is currently fighting a malignant cancer, was the best in 2011 when it came to tightening. Matthias Sempach then won the ESAF in 2013 and the Kirchberger in 2014. Matthias Glarner took the wrestling throne in Estavayer in 2016.
And Christian Stucki won the last two competitions with a federal character in 2017 at Unspunnen and 2019 in Zug. But now the “Mutzen” will have to do without King Stucki at this year’s highlight of the season in Kilchberg due to a torn biceps and shoulder tendon.
“Lost the strongest trump card”
Does that mean that Bern’s impressive winning streak will come to an end? “Chrigus’ failure increases the chances of the other sub-associations, but the Bernese still have the strongest team across the board”, Matthias Sempach (35) is convinced.
Nöldi Forrer (43, Schwingerkönig 2001), on the other hand, has a hard time assuming that one of his comrades from the NOS Association will cheer in Kilchberg: “Of course, the Bernese are still very strong as a team, but with Chrigel they have lost their strongest trump card. And Samuel Giger has proven on the Schwägalp that he can defeat Bern’s defensive artists von Weissenfluh and Staudenmann. “
With four federal wreaths on his account, Roger Brügger is one of the Bernese legends. But the 46-year-old also admits “that in Kilchberg I would put my money on Samuel Giger.” Nevertheless, Brügger sees a small chance in Stucki’s failure for his colors. “It is possible that this will bring the Bern team closer together and that young athletes like Fabian Staudenmann or Michael Wiget will suddenly get a run.”