#USAWrestling

Now Hiring: USA Wrestling National Women's Freestyle Assistant Coach 

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - 12:58 By United World Wrestling Press

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Position: USA Wrestling National Women’s Freestyle Assistant Coach
Reports to:  USA Wrestling National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach
Position Summary: USA Wrestling is seeking a highly motivated, successful coach to help lead the Women’s Freestyle National Team throughout the United States. The National Women’s Freestyle Assistant Coach is responsible for the development and training of the country’s top Women’s Senior age level athletes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Help manage & train the OPTC Senior Women’s Resident Program
    • Recruit and develop top Senior athletes from within the USAW pipeline
    • Assist in developing and implementing the yearly competition and training schedule
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Coach in development and implementation of a national talent identification program
  • Help manage the athletes within the women’s development camp system
  • Work with USA Wrestling staff, coaches, athletes, and volunteer coaches to advance women’s freestyle programs
  • Maintain consistent communication with all women’s freestyle stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials
  • Work with the Women’s Freestyle National Team Coaches and National Coaches Education Manager to improve the freestyle portion of USA Wrestling’s Core Curriculum Series
  • Represent USA Wrestling at international coaching clinics and conduct domestic grassroots promotional activities
  • Work closely with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sports Performance Staff to apply sports science principles to the sport of wrestling
  • Assist in execution and development of a recruiting program aimed at drawing top-level NCAA and NAIA athletes to women’s freestyle wrestling national programming
  • Recruit, cultivate, and support the women’s freestyle volunteer coaching pool
  • Help raise awareness of women’s freestyle wrestling and promote participation in the sport
  • Develop and coordinate local, regional, national, and international training opportunities for the Women’s freestyle program
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach in the development of a 4-year High- Performance Plan for each Olympic Quadrennium.
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach in developing and maintaining annual budgets.
  • Identify potential opportunities for external funding and assist in other fundraising opportunities as directed by the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Competencies and Skills: USA Wrestling seeks an individual who:

  • Has developed elite level athletes
  • Is experienced in leading teams
  • Is skilled in the recruiting process
  • Motivates and inspires athletes
  • Understands long-term athlete development
  • Communicates effectively
  • Creates a positive and enthusiastic environment
  • Works well in a team environment
  • Effectively evaluates athlete talent, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Follows and respects organizational policies and procedures 

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or higher 

Travel: Domestic and International travel is required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be able to successfully pass a USA Wrestling background screening (prior to hire date).
  • Must successfully complete SafeSport Certification within two weeks of hire date.

HIRING PAY RANGE: $60,000-90,000 PER YEAR DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE, COMMENSURATE WITH QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

BENEFITS

  • Paid vacation, personal and sick time
  • Approximately 10 paid holidays per year
  • 403 (b) retirement plan
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Employer paid life insurance

Other Information
The USA Wrestling Office is located in Colorado Springs, CO - ability to work from the office is  required.
USA Wrestling is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Process: 
Interested candidates should send a cover letter,resume, and/or questions    to:
Cody Bickley 
+1.719.265.3647 (officedirect) cbickley@usawrestling.org

#JapanWrestling

Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:19 By Vinay Siwach

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TOKYO (May 24) -- Where is Masanosuke ONO (JPN)?

A question that has intrigued both fans and wrestlers alike as Ono continues to missing from international wrestling since he became the world champion at 61kg in 2024.

Ono watched the Meiji Cup 2026 in Tokyo as he was in Japan to change his United States visa. Since he did not participate in the 2025 Emperor's Cup, Ono was ineligible to participate in the Meiji Cup.

 United World Wrestling caught up with Ono on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup in Tokyo. Ono talks about his comeback, plan for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, life at Penn State and more:

UWW Plus

Excerpts:

- Why did you not participate in the Meiji Cup

Ono: I suppose it’s only natural that I can’t play because I don’t have the right to do so. That’s just the way things are in Japan. I’m aiming to make a comeback so that I can play in the next Emperor’s Cup and Meiji Cup. This has been a good period of preparation for that.

- How are your preparation for the comeback?

Ono: I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now, so I’m absolutely fine. It’s just that I haven’t competed much since the World Championships ended about two years ago, and there’s a part of me that simply can’t suppress the urge to get back out there. So I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition soon and giving it my all.

- When will you compete next?

Ono: I’ll be aiming to qualify [for Emperor's Cup]. As for the weight class, I’m thinking of competing in the 61kg category at the Shakaijin Championships. [The Shakaijin Championships will be held on July 11]. Once I’ve qualified, I’m not quite sure yet whether I’ll move down a weight class, stay in the same one, or move up, but I’m planning to set myself some clear goals.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)Masanosuke ONO (JPN) giving interview on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Ikuo Higuchi)

- How challenging life is at Penn State in the United States?

Ono: I imagine there are plenty of challenges. The rules of wrestling are different there, so there’s a lot to learn. I’m always being taught and helped by others. When it comes to what I’ve actually taken on board, it’s obviously wrestling. As for other aspects of school life, I wasn’t really the type who was naturally good at studying. I’m currently studying philosophy at a university in the United States, and whilst it’s a bit tricky, I’m doing my best in my own way.

- What is your daily routine?

Ono: I have practice in the morning, then I go to lessons, then there’s another practice session around midday, and then in the evening - or rather, in the late afternoon - I study with the translator.

- How's your experience at Penn State and Folkstyle?

Ono: I do a lot of Folkstyle, and I do a bit of Freestyle as well, but there’s so much to learn that I’m still very much a novice. When it comes to training, coach Cael SANDERSON, and his brother Cody, who’s also a coach, as well as Casey CUNNINGHAM and Nick LEE. Everyone, both the students and my flat mates, are really strong, so I’m learning a hell of a lot from them.

There really are so many movements that are unique to Folkstyle, I still feel a bit of a gap there. But once I’ve got the hang of it, I reckon I’ll be able to grow even more myself without losing sight of the good bits. If I just focus on that one thing, it’ll disappear, so I’m thinking I’ll keep 95 per cent of my style exactly as it is and just add a few bits here and there.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) showing his grades.

- Do you like studying Philosophy? 

Ono: Philosophy. No, I don’t really get it. (Ono scored a remarkable 3.74 CGPA in his last semester).

- Why did you decide to wrestle Folkstyle?

Ono: I want to do Folkstyle more because I like Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. I was world champ maybe two years ago, but I know Freestyle like 95 percent but Folkstyle, that I don't know. So I mean, I just I'm excited compete Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. 

- When will you compete for Penn State and why have you not yet?

Ono: I don't know why. If the coaches say you go, I go. I am learning for maybe just one year. It's kind of hard.

- Marcus BLAZE (USA) is your roommate. What you learn from him?

Ono: He's my roommate and in my weight. He's great guy. He's my weight maybe. I learn a lot from him. He likes pickleball. He likes something like outside. I cannot drive. I don't have license. So he drive me around there.

- If you want to go to 2028 LA Olympics, what is the path for you? If it's at 57kg, will you take inspiration from Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who made it at 57kg for Paris?

Ono: I compete at December competition because of 2028 Olympics trial. I have to. I mean my weight like around 64kg so maybe this difficult. Living in America, when the Olympics are held here, you can’t exactly just give up on the idea of competing, you can’t just walk away from it. But when it comes to the Olympics, at 57 or 65kg, with the 8kgs mark being a key hurdle, it’s certainly a challenge. So I thought I’d just have to take it step by step, listening to my body as I go along. I’m not really that bothered about winning or losing. I just want to wrestle, so to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.

Higuchi is amazing. I am sure he is mentally tough. I like to eat and I like chipotle.

- Which weight class are you aiming for?

Ono: If [Rei] Higuchi were to join us at 57kg, I’d be absolutely chuffed. I’d be just as chuffed if we played with Higuchi at 65kg, or with [Kotaro] Kiyooka at 65kg. I’m not sure about [Toshihiro] Hasegawa, but I reckon [Rin] Sakamoto would be there. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if they all got together?