The US has revealed its Senior World Teams for men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling following the conclusion of the World Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. The teams feature a blend of Olympic and World champions alongside rising stars, all aiming for gold at the 2024 Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania, from October 28-31. Notably, the Championships will contest the 12 weight classes not included in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Men’s Freestyle: Experience Reigns Supreme
The men’s freestyle team boasts significant international experience, with all four members having previously earned World medals.
At 79kg, Jordan Burroughs, a six-time World Champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, secured his tenth World Team berth after defeating 2023 World Team member Chance Marsteller. Their rivalry continued, having previously clashed in the finals of World Team qualifiers and Final X competitions.
David Taylor, the 2020 Olympic champion and a three-time World Champion, returns to international competition after a break following the US Olympic Team Trials. He dominated the 92kg weight class, culminating in a victory over 2023 World bronze medalist Zahid Valencia.
Vito Arujau, the reigning 61kg World Champion, continued his winning ways, overcoming high school phenom Marcus Blaze.
Two-time World medalist James Green rounded out the team, securing his seventh World Championships appearance with a win over Alec Pantaleo in the 70kg finals.
Women’s Freestyle: A Mix of New and Familiar Faces
The women’s freestyle team presents a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and rising talents.
Jacarra Winchester, the 2019 World Champion and 2020 Olympian, showcased her dominance in the 59kg division, securing her fifth World Championship appearance with decisive victories over Michaela Beck.
At 65kg, 2023 World silver medalist Macey Kilty continued her impressive form, defeating Aine Drury.
Kylie Welker earned her spot on the team by overcoming long-time rival Yelena Makoyed in the 72kg finals. This victory marks a significant milestone for Welker, who will be competing in her second Senior World Championships.
Areana Villaescusa emerged victorious in the 55kg weight class, defeating Amanda Martinez. This win marks her first appearance at the Senior World Championships.
Notably, both Kilty and Welker, teammates at the University of Iowa, will compete in both the Senior and U23 World Championships.
Greco-Roman: A Seasoned Squad with Olympic Pedigree
The Greco-Roman team features a wealth of experience, with all four wrestlers having previously competed at the Senior World Championships.
Ildar Hafizov, a 2020 US Olympian, will be competing in his fourth World Championship for Team USA. A seasoned competitor, Hafizov previously represented Uzbekistan at the 2008 Olympics and three Senior World Championships. He secured his spot on the team with a hard-fought victory over Max Black in the 63kg division.
At 82kg, Aliaksandr Kikiniou, a 2012 Olympian and six-time World Championship representative for Belarus, earned his first US World Team berth. He secured his place with a victory over 2021 World Team member Jesse Porter.
Brady Koontz, a member of the 2023 World Team, dominated the 55kg weight class, securing his return to the World Championships.
Benjamin Peak secured the final spot on the team by defeating RaVaughn Perkins by forfeit in the 72 kg weight class.
The US Senior World Teams are set to compete on the world stage. They carry a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent and promise an exciting tournament as they aim for the top of the podium in Tirana.
2024 Senior World Team Trials Results
Sept. 14-15, Omaha, Neb.
Senior World Team Trials Brackets on FloArena
Men’s Freestyle Best-Of-Three Championship Series Results
61 kg
Vito Arujau (Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Marcus Blaze (Perrysburg WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Arujau dec. Blaze, 2-1
Round 2 – Arujau dec. Blaze, 3-1
70 kg
James Green (Nebraska WTC) defeats Alec Pantaleo (Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Green tech. fall Pantaleo, 10-0
Round 2 – Green dec. Pantaleo, 2-1
79 kg
Jordan Burroughs (Pennsylvania RTC) defeats Chance Marsteller (New Jersey RTC/Titan Mercury WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Burroughs dec. Marsteller, 3-0
Round 2 –Burroughs dec. Marsteller, 6-3
92 kg
David Taylor (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Zahid Valencia (Atreus WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Taylor dec. Valencia, 3-3
Round 2 – Taylor fall Valencia, 2:49
Men’s Freestyle Third Place Bouts
61 kg – Jax Forrest (Young Guns) tech fall Liam Cronin (Nebraska Wrestling Training Center), 16-6 4:26
70 kg – Pj Duke (KD Training Center) dec. Yahya Thomas (NJRTC/ TMWC), 5-1
79 kg – David Carr (Cyclone RTC/ TMWC) dec. Levi Haines (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club), 8-2
92 kg – Michael Macchiavello (LVWC/ TMWC) tech fall Marcus Coleman (Cyclone RTC), 11-0 5:53
Greco-Roman Best-Of-Three Championship Series Results
55 kg
Brady Koontz (Dubuque RTC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Kenneth Crosby (NMU-National Training Center) two matches to none
Round 1 – Koontz tech. fall Crosby, 9-0
Round 2 – Koontz tech. fall Crosby, 8-0
63 kg
Ildar Hafizov (Army WCAP) defeats Max Black (NMU-National Training Center/New York AC) two matches to one
Round 1 – Hafizov tech. fall Black, 11-0
Round 2 – Black dec. Hafizov, 3-1
Round 3 – Hafizov tech. fall Black, 9-0
72 kg
Benjamin Peak (Combat W.C. School of Wrestling) defeats RaVaughn Perkins (New York AC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Peak forfeit Perkins
Round 2 – Peak forfeit Perkins
82 kg
Aliaksandr Kikiniou (New York AC) defeats Jesse Porter (New York AC) two matches to none
Round 1 –Kikiniou dec. Porter, 5-1
Round 2 – Kikiniou dec. Porter, 3-1
Greco-Roman Third Place Bouts
55 kg – Billy Sullivan (Army WCAP) tech fall Peter Del Gallo (South Side Wrestling Club), 9-0 2:24
63 kg – Dylan Gregerson (New York Athletic Club) tech fall Aidan Nutter (New York Athletic Club), 9-0 1:42
72 kg – Peyton Robb (NWTC) tech fall Hunter Lewis (North Carolina), 8-0 2:03
82 kg – Beka Melelashvili (NYAC) tech fall Tyler Eischens (NYAC/Tar Heel WC), 11-2 3:35
Women’s Freestyle Best-Of-Three Championship Series Results
55 kg
Areana Villaescusa (Army WCAP) defeats Amanda Martinez (Cardinal WC/Titan Mercury WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Villaescusa dec. Martinez, 4-3
Round 2 – Villaescusa dec. Martinez, 11-8
59 kg
Jacarra Winchester (USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Michaela Beck (USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Winchester tech. fall Beck, 11-0
Round 2 – Winchester tech. fall Beck, 11-0
65 kg
Macey Kilty (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Aine Drury (Team Tornado WC/New York AC) two matches to none
Round 1 –Kilty tech. fall Drury, 10-0
Round 2 – Kilty tech. fall Drury, 12-1
72 kg
Kylie Welker (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) defeats Yelena Makoyed (Cardinal WC/Titan Mercury WC) two matches to none
Round 1 – Welker fall Makoyed, 5:03
Round 2 –Welker dec. Makoyed, 5-2
Women’s Freestyle Third Place Matches
55 kg – Elena Ivaldi (California) dec. Felicity Taylor (TMWC), 12-12
59 kg – Xochitl Mota-pettis (Rise RTC) dec. Abigail Nette (WCAP), 9-3
65 kg – Claire Dicugno (Team Tornado Wrestling Club) dec. Savannah Cosme (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club), 7-4
72 kg – Skylar Grote (USOPTC/ TMWC) tech fall Gretchen Donally (Colorado Mesa Wrestling Club), 10-0 2:32