Villafane Denies Wax History, Makes His Own
Monday, August 3, 2026 - 10:25 By Vinay Siwach
BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 3) -- Two wrestlers chasing history and with a growing rivalry met in the 45kg final. U17 world champion in Greco-Roman Rylen WAX (USA) was hoping to add the Freestyle gold as well and become first wrestler since 1983 to win golds in both styles.
Standing in his way was 15-year-old Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR), who was aiming to become only the second Puerto Rican wrestler to win a U17 world title, 51 years after the nation's first.
Their rivalry began at the 2025 U15 Pan-American Championships, where they met in both the 41kg Freestyle and Greco-Roman finals. Villafane claimed the Freestyle title with a 5-4 victory before Wax responded with an 8-0 win in the Greco-Roman final.
Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) celebrates after winning the 45kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)
They renewed the rivalry earlier this year at the U17 Pan-American Championships, again facing each other in both styles. This time, Wax emerged victorious in both matches, edging Villafane 9-8 in the 45kg Freestyle semifinal before winning 7-5 in the Greco-Roman round-robin bout.
Wax held the head-to-head advantage but Villafane was determined to take one back. The final was off to an electric start as they searched for the breakthrough.
As no early points were scored, Wax on the first to go on the activity clock. He managed to get to Villafane's legs but failed to complete the takedown, allowing Villafane to counter with a stepout for a 1-0 lead. When Wax failed to score during the 30-second activity period, Villafane received another point to take a 2-0 advantage into the break.
Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) scores on Rylen WAX (USA) during the 45kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)
Villafane stalled the action in the second period and was put on the 30-second activity clock which he erased after scoring a takedown and lead 4-0 with 49 seconds left on the clock.
Wax drove Villafane towards the edge but the Puerto Rico wrestler circled and pushed Wax, who looked disappointed, out for a point. Wax got a stepout with 14 seconds remaining but his late desperate headpinch was blocked as Villafane scored two more points, completing a top-class 7-1 win and the U17 world title.
Click here for the full report of the U17 World Wrestling Championships 2026
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