Wrestling Meet Renamed To Honor Newtown Shooting Victim Jack Pinto
By Josh Sanchez
USA Wrestling announced on Thursday that they have decided to rename the Kiki Cup, which is a yearly meet in Colorado Springs. The Kiki Cup will be renamed the Jack Pinto Cup to honor the six-year-old who was one of the many victims of the mass shooting tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.
“This young boy’s tough, matter-of-fact attitude is the essence of what the sport of wrestling is all about,” National Greco-Roman coach Steve Fraser said, per TheMat.com. “The incredible loss of Jack Pinto and the others in this senseless tragedy will haunt us as we try and figure out why.
“Our hope is to honor Jack, his family and the others victims by naming this tough international Greco-Roman Olympic-style wrestling competition in his name. This is a reminder of how precious life really is.”
We have previously heard of the Pinto family after New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz reached out to Pinto’s family and honored Jack on the field before developing a strong bond with the family.
USA Wrestling reached out to the Pinto family after they learned of Jack’s passion for wrestling. The family then gave USA Wrestling permission to name the meet after their son. The Pinto family released a statement that read:
“We are overwhelmed at your generous offer and thoughts for our beloved Jack. We have been simply stunned at the outpouring of support from the wrestling community, which we now realize is our wrestling family. While our Jack was new to wrestling, he approached it as he approached all of life; with the unbridled enthusiasm that made him Jack. We are honored to accept your generous offer.”
USA Wrestling responded with their thanks to the family.
“USA Wrestling is grateful that the Pinto family has allowed us the opportunity to honor Jack in this way. The thoughts and prayers of the entire wrestling community are with Jack’s family, friends and teammates during these very difficult times. We will honor Jack’s memory each year through this important international competition,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
It is a great gesture by USA Wrestling to honor one of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims. Newtown, Connecticut will not be forgotten and USA Wrestling has done their part to keep the name of Jack Pinto alive.