Kyle Snyder Accepts 97 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Four-time World champion and Olympic champion Kyle Snyder (Bellefonte, Pa./Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will compete for the men’s freestyle 97 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Snyder won his fourth World title in Zagreb, Croatia, last year, tying National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member John Smith in second-place all-time for men’s freestyle World titles won by an American, two shy of Jordan Burroughs’ record six World gold medals. Snyder's 2025 World title automatically qualified him for Final X. 

U20 World Champs Leydecker, Robinson Dominate Day 1 of USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals

SPOKANE, Washington – Day one is in the book at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, with an exciting batch of quarterfinals now set in the U20 division. 

Six members of last year’s U20 World Team remain in contention for a repeat bid—Abbi Cooper at 53 kg, Everest Leydecker at 55 kg, Haylie Jaffe at 62 kg, Daniella Nugent at 68 kg, Jasmine Robinson at 72 kg and Naomi Simon at 76 kg. 

2025 Downstate New York NWHOF Inductees

Lifetime Service to Wrestling Honorees:
Glen Lanham
Dave Warren
Leo Palacio
Joe Condon
Kevin Brodsky
Rob Shaver

Iron Monk, OWrestle.com Make Generous Donation to Hall of Fame

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame would like to thank Iron Monk Brewing Company and OWrestle.com for their generous $2,000 donation from the proceeds of their inaugural Wrestling Week, held in conjunction with the NCAA Wrestling Championships. 

As part of Wrestling Week, Iron Monk released Pinner’s Choice to honor NCAA champion Wyatt Hendrickson, joining its original wrestling-themed beer, Low Single Leg, which pays tribute to Hall of Fame Distinguished Member John Smith. 

Trent Hidlay Accepts 92 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Reigning World champion Trent Hidlay (Raleigh, N.C./Wolfpack RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 92 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Hidlay was a force at the 2025 World Championships en route to claiming the gold medal at 92kg, which automatically qualified him for Final X.

Hidlay was a four-time NCAA All-American and two-time NCAA finalist for North Carolina State, where he currently trains full-time. He also owns two age-group World medals—bronze from the 2019 U20 Worlds and silver from the 2022 U23 Worlds. 

Rodriguez, Nwachukwu Headline Record-Setting 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals Field

SPOKANE, Wash. – The top women’s wrestling prospects across the country descend upon The Podium in Spokane, Washington, this week for the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, and the field of competitors is as talented as ever.  

A record number of participants are expected to grace the mats in Spokane, with U.S. World Team and U.S. Pan American Team berths up for grabs in the United World Wrestling age-group divisions, plus national titles being determined in the USA Wrestling youth divisions. 

This year will feature a couple of firsts. The event has expanded to a four-day format, which is intended to give athletes vying for multiple World Team selections added flexibility. Additionally, the youth divisions (14U and below) will offer a Greco-Roman division. 

Zahid Valencia Accepts 86 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Reigning World champion Zahid Valencia (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC), who was the California and National winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2015, has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 86 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Valencia completed one of the most dominant seasons in USA Wrestling history in 2025, culminating with a gold medal at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, which automatically qualified him for Final X. It will be his fifth Final X appearance.

Real Woods Accepts 65 kg Men’s Rreestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

2025 World bronze medalist Real Woods (Ann Arbor, Mich./Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 65 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Woods was one of the top stories for Team USA last year, particularly due to his rapid rise up the ranks. He went on a remarkable run from a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open in April all the way to a bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in September, which earned him an automatic berth to Final X.