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Undefeated HS Wrestler Goes Up Against Opponent With Down Syndrome. Check Out What Champ Does to Make His Opponent's Day
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Undefeated HS Wrestler Goes Up Against Opponent With Down Syndrome. Check Out What Champ Does to Make His Opponent's Day

"It’s humbling I guess and pretty cool for all the attention for a simple act of kindness."

An undefeated high school wrestler from Norton, Massachusetts, showed true sportsmanship when he lost to his opponent — who has Down Syndrome — in a match that was caught on video and posted to Facebook Sunday.

Senior Deven Schuko, who had recently celebrated his 100th wrestling match victory, was the state's top Division 3 wrestler in his particular weight class, according to MassLive. Schuko had been undefeated at 27-0 when he went into his match with Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School wrestler Andy Howland.

The video, which was posted to Facebook by parent Anthony Pucino, captures the moments in which Howland toppled and pinned the undefeated Schuko in just a matter of seconds.

This is a video of what a team captain and leader looks like. Devin Schuko, a senior with a 27-0 record this year, a young man who earned his 100th career win a few days ago to join the century club at NHS, took the time to make a dream come true for young wrestler with special needs from Dighton Rehoboth's team. So proud to have witnessed this. Truly a special young man.. Thank you Schuko!

Posted by

Anthony Pucino on Sunday, January 24, 2016


"We shook hands, and we locked up, and he was a tough kid. And he bulldogged me over to my back. I couldn’t stop the power,” Schuko told Boston's WBZ-TV. "I’ve been in sports all my life and wrestling, I believe, is most demanding and for someone like Andy to wrestle and stick with it, I wanted to make his day."

Pucino's Facebook post included this caption: "This is a video of what a team captain and leader looks like. Devin Schuko, a senior with a 27-0 record this year, a young man who earned his 100th career win a few days ago to join the century club at NHS, took the time to make a dream come true for young wrestler with special needs from Dighton Rehoboth's team. So proud to have witnessed this. Truly a special young man. Thank you Schuko!"

Since the video has gone viral, Schuko has been astounded at the responses and praise that he has received for his sportsmanship.

"It’s humbling I guess and pretty cool for all the attention for a simple act of kindness,” Schuko told WBZ.

Follow Kathryn Blackhurst (@kablackhurst) on Twitter

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