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Duke stuns Diakomihalis to make U.S. team for World Championships

Sunday, June 15, 2025 - 09:00 By United World Wrestling Press

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NEWARK, United States (June 14) -- United States determined its Freestyle team in nine weight classes for the World Championships after the Final X which was held Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.

One spot -- 61kg -- will be determined on a later date as Vitali ARUJAU (USA) was allowed a delay in his playoff against Jaxen FORREST (USA) due to an injury.

Despite the 61kg playoff not scheduled for Saturday, there was no lack of surprises at the Final X, a tournament designated to select the final 10 wrestlers for the U.S. team.

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The biggest surprised came at 70kg as high school sensation Peter DUKE defeated former world silver medalist John DIAKOMIHALIS in a best-of-three series and make his first senior World Championships team.

The win for Duke came in dramatic fashion as he pinned Diakomihalis the third and final bout of the series. Diakomihalis opened with a big 10-0 technical superiority win over Duke in the first bout. However, Duke bounced back with a big 17-10 win in the second bout. Diakomihalis led 9-2 but Duke hit a pair of four-point moves, followed by turns in par terre to win and force the third bout.

In the third bout, Diakomihalis and Duke were in a scramble and the former tried a split-leg defense but was pushed on his back on the mat and Duke kept him there for the fall.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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"That first match, [I] didn't wrestle my best," Duke said. "It's a feel match. Didn't doubt myself once."

Duke later revealed that he saw an interview in which Diakomihalis said he would "try to mangle" Duke.

"I took that personal," Duke said. "I'm not going to let that slide. He's a good mentor to me, but I work my butt too hard to be mangled."

Apart from Diakomihalis, Kyle DAKE was fell short in his bid to make the team at 86kg, a big jump from 74kg, in which he won bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Read More: Maroulis, Baldes make U.S. World Championships team

Dake fell to Zahid VALENCIA who won two straight matches to make the team. After winning his first bout 5-3, Valencia scored a takedown and leg-lace turn for a 4-0 lead in the first period, and went on to win 4-1. Valencia is a bronze medalist from 2023 World Championships at 92kg.

Paris Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE made his first-ever World Championships team two-match sweep over world U20 champion Luke LILLEDAHL at 57kg. Lee won the second match 6-0, scoring all of his points in the first period with a takedown, a leg lace and an exposure from the feet. Lee won the first match 7-2, with a key takedown and two gut wrenches in the first period.

At 74kg, age David CARR defeated Mitchell MESSENBRINK in two straight matches. Carr won the first bout 4-3, scoring two takedowns in the second period. He completed the series win with another comeback. Trailing 4-2 in the second period, Carr scored a clutch takedown to tie the match at 4-4 to win by criteria.

Former world U23 champion Wyatt HENDRICKSON the 125kg series in two straight matches over Trent HILLGER. After a 10-0 technical superiority win in the fist bout, Hendrickson was tested in the second but he eventually won 20-14 to wrap up the series over Hillger. Hendrickson made global headlines in March when he won an NCAA title beating 2020 Olympic champion Gable STEVESON in the final.

Trent HIDLAY needed just two bouts at 92kg to defeat Joshua BARR and earn a spot on the team. Hidlay won the first bout 6-1 but the second win proved much difficult to come. All five points were stepout points with Hidlay winning 3-2.

At 65kg, Real WOODS denied Joseph MCKENNA a spot on the world team after posting two straight wins. Both matches had a key four-point move by Woods that made the difference. In the second match, Woods opened the match with a four-pointer, which held up when the match ended 4-4, giving Woods criteria. McKenna challenged, seeking a point on a singlet pull, which was denied, making in 5-4. 

Levi HAINES swept his 79kg series in two straight over Evan WICK. In the second match, Haines scored a 6-1 win, with a key takedown and an exposure in the second period for the margin of victory. In the first match, Haines scored an impressive 10-0 first-period technical fall.

Past world and Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER made his 11th straight world/Olympic team for the U.S. after he defeated Hayden ZILLMER. In the deciding second match, Snyder broke a 2-2 tie with two takedowns and a turn in the second period for an 8-2 win. 

The 61kg playoff to decide the winner between Arujau and Forrest will be held Monday, July 14 at the Fargodome in Fargo.

RESULTS (Best of three)

57kg
Spencer LEE df. Luke LILLEDAHL, 2-0

Bout 1: Lee df. Lilledahl, 7-2
Bout 2: Lee df. Lilledahl, 6-0

65kg
Real WOODS df. Joseph MCKENNA, 2-0

Bout 1: Woods df. McKenna, 7-3
Bout 2: Woods df. McKenna, 5-4

70kg
Peter DUKE df. John DIAKOMIHALIS, 2-1

Bout 1: Diakomihalis df. Duke, 10-0
Bout 2: Duke df. Diakomihalis, 17-10
Bout 3: Duke df. Diakomihalis, via fall

74kg
David CARR df. Mitchell MESENBRINK, 2-0

Bout 1: Carr df. Mesenbrink, 4-3
Bout 2: Carr df. Mesenbrink, 4-4

79kg
Levi HAINES df. Evan WICK, 2-0

Bout 1: Haines df. Wick, 10-0
Bout 2: Haines df. Wick, 6-1

86kg
Zahid VALENCIA df. Kyle DAKE, 2-0

Bout 1: Valencia df. Dake, 5-3
Bout 2: Valencia df. Dake, 4-1

92kg
Trent HIDLAY df. Joshua BARR, 2-0

Bout 1: Hidlay df. Barr, 6-1
Bout 2: Hidlay df. Barr, 3-2

97kg
Kyle SNYDER df. Hayden ZILLMER, 2-0

Bout 1: Snyder df. Zillmer, 8-0
Bout 2: Snyder df. Zillmer, 8-2

125kg
Wyatt HENDRICKSON df. Trent HILLGER, 2-0 

Bout 1: Hendrickson df. Hillger, 10-0
Bout 2: Hendrickson df. Hillger, 20-14

#JapanWrestling

I Want to Win Second Olympic Gold at LA 2028: Higuchi

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 10:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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TOKYO (May 22) -- Paris Olympic champion at 57kg Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) returned to competition for the 2026 Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in Tokyo. After reaching the 61kg final on Saturday, Higuchi defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the gold medal bout.

Normally, the two should have wrestle off to earn a spot on the Japan team for the 2026 World Championships. However, Higuchi withdrew from the play-off to everyone's surprise. He later talked to the press. Excerpts:

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-- On withdrawing from World Championships wrestle-off against Hasegawa

Higuchi: In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]. There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles. Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

-- On his performance at the Meiji Cup

Higuchi: I tried various new takedowns, and I was able to apply pressure in the clinch as well. I think it went pretty well, more or less. There was one throw I felt I could have executed better, and there were a few other areas where I wanted to finish things off more decisively. I guess there’s a mix of things to reflect on and things that went well. It feels like a bit of a mixed bag. 

-- On his return after 21 months since 2024 Paris Olympics

Higuchi: It was definitely fun. It was my first match in a long time, so I was really excited and nervous, but I’m not the type to feel too much pressure. Even as an Olympic champion, how should I put it?, I’m sure there were people hoping for an upset, but whether I win or lose, the fact that I’m an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t change. So in that sense, I was able to let go of the pressure and really enjoy the wrestling.

-- On his physical health

Higuchi: In the first match, I definitely felt like my legs were really heavy. It had been a while since my last match, and it had been a while since I’d reduce weight too. There were moments where I wondered, “Is this really okay?” But by the second match, the semifinal, I was gradually finding my rhythm and moving well. I really feel it was great that I was able to compete once six months ago, rather than starting all of a sudden this December.

-- On any improvements for future

Higuchi: First of all, I need to build a body that’s properly suited for the 57kg weight class. It’s been a while since I’ve competed, so I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped. I think if I refocus and tighten up my game, I’ll be able to deliver an even better performance. I really want to get back to training soon. It was so much fun. It’s been a while, but I feel like I can pull off all sorts of new moves and do so much more, so I’m eager to get back to training. 

-- On motivation for LA 2028

Higuchi: There’s only one person in the history of Japanese wrestling [Freestyle] who has won back-to-back Olympic gold medals. My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. In terms of records. There are many great predecessors, but I want to break their records. I want to become the kind of figure where people say, “Rei Higuchi was the strongest in Japanese wrestling history.”

I want to wrap things up by winning two consecutive gold medals in Los Angeles.