The whistle blows and chaos ensues on the mat. Bodies clash and hands fight to take control of the opponent. Wrestling never waits for anyone to catch up, one must always be quick to take control.
With senior wrestler Ismail Elbahlawan, there is never any hesitation once he steps on the mat.
During the 2026 wrestling season, Elbahlawan placed at Division 1 sectionals at 215lbs, something that “someone from Malden has yet to claim until now,” explained wrestling and football coach Kevin Isaza who further added how“This helped him secure a spot at States, where he fought hard against other opponents from across the state.”
Let’s rewind to the beginning of his story.
Elbahlawan’s wrestling journey began in his junior year of high school. A senior wrestler had been attempting to recruit Elbahlawan since his freshman year.“My favorite part about wrestling is the physical challenge. I love competing and pushing myself every day,” expressed Elbahlawan.
“Even when he had no idea what he was doing he was still frustrated when losing, showing he had the innate drive to win. That is when I knew he was going to be successful,” coach Eli Guttentag stated.
When the 2026 season came about, Elbahlawan planned to return to the sport. Things progressed smoothly until he unexpectedly injured his shoulder during the first week of practice, causing him to miss half of the season.
“When I got hurt, I honestly thought about quitting and was contemplating if it was even worth it. Later on, I had my first tournament, came in unseeded, and got extremely close to winning by pinning the 1st seed for almost a whole period. I unfortunately lost due to a technicality, but that tournament showed me that I could go far,” Elbahlawan explained.
While his comeback showed his commitment to the sport, it also highlighted what sets him apart from the rest of his team. “As much as wrestling is a team sport, it is also a sport that relies heavily on self-commitment and the personal progress you make through your career in wrestling. Ismail was a fast learner and was able to attain a lot of wrestling in just two years,” Isaza expressed.
His teammate, senior Omar Chouiki, also noticed how much Elbahlawan had improved since he had started. Chouiki reflected how in the beginning of the season, most of his wins would come from “rushing in and overpowering the opponent,” but added how as the season progressed, “Ismail had gotten smarter” especially in “training techniques that would usually take him down.”
Elbhlawan making it to States “goes back to the principle and the rich history that comes from being a part of the Malden community, both as a student and also an athlete. It was a testament to his hard work and dedication,” Isaza noted.
His teammates, such as junior wrestler Ammar Ibrahim, acknowledged how much Elbahlawan contributes in every practice, specifically “the enthusiastic energy he always brings.”
Elbahlawan believes that reaching States was a team effort because of all the support he has received from his teammates and coaches. “Just because I was the only one [to make States] doesn’t mean my teammates’ hard work and effort were meaningless,” Elbahlawan explained.
As Malden continues to grow its wrestling program, Elbahlawan qualifying for States in only his second year lets “the younger wrestlers know that if they work hard, they can achieve success in a relatively short amount of time,” Guttenag concluded.
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