Our Story: From Underdogs to Champions

Imagine starting a wrestling career in a country where the sport is barely on the radar. No established community, no local competitions, and no seasoned wrestlers to learn from. Just two determined brothers training in isolation, carving out a path where none existed.

That’s the reality we faced. But instead of letting the odds define us, we chose to defy them. Wrestling wasn’t just a sport for us, it became a test of grit, creativity, and resilience. We sought out resources from wherever we could find them, innovated our training methods, and developed our own blueprint for success. Over time, that blueprint turned two underdogs into medal-winning athletes competing at the highest level
in one of the world’s toughest sports.

Our journey isn’t just about wrestling; it’s about proving that with the right mindset, discipline, and strategies, anything is possible.

We’re Marcel and Tyrone Sterkenburg; twins, world-class wrestlers, and proof that no dream is too big when you’re willing to outwork and outthink the competition.

 

Why Wrestling?

Martial arts have always been a part of our lives, thanks to our father, who instilled in us the value of discipline and perseverance. He introduced us to boxing, but while his passion lay there, ours took root in wrestling.

For us, wrestling is more than a sport, it’s an art form. The technical throws, the seamless flow of movement combined with intense pressure; it’s like watching strength and precision collide in perfect harmony.

Our dedication paid off when we made history at the Junior World Championships, bringing home the first gold and silver medals for our country. But the medals are just part of the story. What drives us is the process: practicing, falling, getting back up, and relentlessly working our way to the top.

At home, we learned three essential values: respect, loyalty, and hard work. These principles guide everything we do, both on and off the mat.

Achievements

The road to success has been long and demanding, but our persistence has paid off. Over the years, we’ve accomplished milestones we once thought impossible:

Tyrone Sterkenburg

3rd Place European Championships U23 ’22
3rd Place Zagreb open Rankings tournament Seniors ’23
2nd Place World Championships Juniors ‘21
3rd Place European Championships Cadets ‘17
1st Place Poland Open Championships ‘20
1st Place Germany Open Championships ‘18
1st Place Italy Open ‘19
1st Place France Open U23 ‘18
3rd Place France Grand Prix Senior ‘20
2nd Place Czech Republic Cadets ‘16
3rd Place Hungary Grand Prix ‘15
3x Winner of Gold Belt Tournament ’13-‘15
1st Benelux Championships ‘15
1st Place Easter Youth Tournament (Biggest Youth Championships of Europe) ‘19 

Instagram

Marcel Sterkenburg

2nd Place World championship U23 senior '24
3rd Place World Championships U23 Seniors ’22
1st Place World Championships Juniors ‘21
1st Place European Championships U23 Seniors ‘22
3rd Place European Championships Juniors ‘21
2nd Place Poland Open Championships Seniors ‘20
1st Place France Open U23 ‘18
1st Place Czech Republic Cadets ‘16
3rd Place Hungary Grand Prix ‘15
3x Winner of Gold Belt Tournament ’13-‘15
1st Place Benelux Championships ‘15
1st Place Easter Youth Tournament (Biggest Youth Championships of Europe) ‘19

Instagram

What our days look like

Our daily life is a reflection of our dedication to the sport. It’s intense, structured, and built around constant improvement

Morning Routine: The day starts at 6:00 a.m. with a weigh-in and a run.

Training Blocks: From 11:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., we train hard; balancing technique, sparring, strength work, and conditioning.

Rest & Recovery: Between sessions,
we focus on eating, resting, and maximizing recovery with naps and sleep (often 10+ hours a day).

Beyond Wrestling: When not in training
camp, we study commercial economics at the Johan Cruyff Academy in Amsterdam. Balancing academics and athletics has taught us to stay disciplined and focused in all aspects of life.

Why We Started Elite Wrestling

We created Elite Wrestling to share the lessons we’ve learned from our journey. When we started, there were no local resources and no established wrestling community to guide us. We had to learn everything from scratch, seeking knowledge from wherever we could find it and creating our own path to success.

That’s why we’re passionate about providing wrestlers with the opportunity we didn’t have: access to world-class training, clear strategies, and expert guidance. Our goal is to make wrestling more accessible, helping beginners and seasoned competitors alike reach their full potential.

Through our e-books, we share the same proven techniques, drills, and strategies that took us to the top. Wrestling transformed our lives, and we want to help it do the same for you.

We’re also driven by a bigger mission: to grow wrestling into a more widely recognized and respected sport. By empowering individuals to succeed, we hope to inspire a new generation of wrestlers and raise the profile of this incredible discipline.

Let’s take your wrestling journey to the next level.