My name is Bilali Assoumanou, and I’m a senior at Lehman High School as well as the team captain of the wrestling team. I’ve been wrestling for quite some time, and I never imagined I’d compete in Freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestling but here I am, proudly wrestling at the Jeff Blatnick New York State Olympic Style Wrestling Championships. I became a Greco state finalist, a 3x state placer Greco placer and also a 2x freestyle state placer, and have earned a ticket to the prestigious Fargo Nationals in North Dakota. Through the connections I’ve made in wrestling, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to places I never imagined, meet incredible people, and build unbreakable bonds with coaches and fellow athletes. Not only have I noticed significant improvement in my wrestling, but many others have as well. My goal is to keep pushing myself, improving every day, and ultimately place in the top 8 at Fargo. This year, I’ll be a 3x Fargo qualifier, proudly representing Team New York once again. Over the past few months, I’ve been training harder than ever—both physically and mentally—at the New York Athletic Club, and I truly feel more prepared than ever to compete at the highest level. Now, this is the part where I kindly ask for your support. Aside from the physical challenge of qualifying for Fargo, the financial costs—including registration, housing, team gear, and airfare—are significant. Your support, no matter how big or small, would go directly toward helping me cover these expenses and continue chasing my goals in the sport I love. Thank you so much for your generosity—and please wish me luck! Sincerely, Bilali Assoumanou