US World Team Thoughts💭

2022 United States Men’s Freestyle World Team  - The Perspective Take 

Written by: Gavin Shoush

As Final X wrapped up on June 8th the U.S. had a world team to take to the Senior World Championships. This world team has multiple previous world medalists in Gilman, Dake, Burroughs, Taylor, Cox, and Snyder. September 10th through 18th will be an exciting time for wrestling fans as the Senior World Championships will take place in Belgrade, Serbia. 

Thomas Gilman

Thomas Gilman has been solid since switching to Nittany Lion Wrestling Club before the Olympics. During Final X Stillwater Gilman seemed focused more on staying in good position rather than constantly trying to score regardless of the position it leaves him in. I believe this is a direct effect of training in the Penn State room rather than Iowa. Gilman is a reigning World champ and coming off of his bronze medal in the Olympics he looks to continue his success with a World title. Thomas Gilman is currently the #1 seed in the 57kg weight class. 

Seth Gross

Seth Gross was a surprising qualifier for this world team. He defeated Daton Fix 2 matches to 1 in Final X Stillwater. Seth Gross is definitely a wild card for Team USA with the potential to medal, but could also see a 0-1 tournament. Seth Gross is currently unseeded. 

Yianni Diakomihalis

Yianni has a TOUGH bracket at 65 kg. Yianni is also representing Team USA on the U23 team as well as the senior team. Yianni looks to go through multiple world medalists such as Bajrang Punia, Ismail Musukaev, Haji Alieyev, Tulga Tumur-Orchir, Vazgen Tevanyan, and Takuto Otoguro. I believe Yianni will shock the world and be a double world champ this fall. Yianni is currently unseeded. 

Zain Retherford

Zain Retherford looks to have an uphill battle to medal. He is coming off a huge victory over Jordan Oliver at Final X Stillwater. I believe Zain train can put together a tournament that shocks a lot of wrestling fans as he comes away with a world medal. Retherford is currently unseeded. 

Kyle Dake

Kyle Dake is the favorite coming into this tournament. He is coming off some say a disappointing Olympics only coming home with bronze. Kyle Dake looks to bounce back for Team USA at worlds. He has wins over the #2 and #3 seeds. Kyle Dake is currently seeded #1 and looks to win his 4th world title. 

Jordan Burroughs

This World Championship run for Jordan Burroughs has the potential to be a very historic one as he goes for his 7th World/Olympic title. He would become the first American to tackle this feat. He has a win over the potential #2 seed from Iran in last year’s world finals. I believe Burroughs makes history and brings home gold for Team USA. Burroughs is currently seeded #1. 

David Taylor

David Taylor comes in as a two-seed despite being a reigning Olympic champion. He sits behind a familiar foe in Hassan Yazdani. This series is 3 matches to 1 in favor of Taylor. I fully expect Taylor to dominate this tournament and win his second-world title. 

J’den Cox

Cox has been in a slump previously missing weight at the Olympic trials and dropping two straight matches to Team USA teammate Kyle Snyder in a Rudis event. J’den Cox defeated Nate Jackson to make this year’s world team. He looks to bounce back against foreign competition. J’den Cox is currently ranked #3 but has the potential to be a world champ this year. 

Kyle Snyder

Without Russia in this year’s competition, Kyle Snyder becomes an immediate favorite. He currently has a win over the potential #2 seed from Iran. I fully expect Snyder to bring home a world title for Team USA. 

Hayden Zillmer

Zillmer is a new face on this Team USA world team. He defeated multiple-time world team member Nick Gwiazdowski at Final X to make the team. I am currently unsure how Zillmer will stack up against this competition but will be rooting him on as he wrestles 125 kg for Team USA. He is currently unseeded. 

This team looks to be a strong favorite in this tournament. This will be an exciting watch for wrestling fans as Team USA travels to Belgrade, Serbia September 10th-18th. 

Thanks for reading! :)

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