Imagine being just 25 years old and already having undergone nine surgeries in the last almost 8 years. For most athletes, that would spell the end of the road. But not for Yianni Diakomihalis. The 2022 world silver medalist isn’t wired to back down. A two-time U.S. World Team member, Yianni has been a force in wrestling since his early days, even becoming one of only two American wrestlers to win two cadet world championships. But luck hasn’t been on his side, but maybe, just maybe, that’s about to change. But did it go? How did his return go?
Well, for that, we might need to go back to last year. After all, Yianni faced a tough break at the 2024 Pan-Am Qualifier Wrestle-Off, where Nick Lee dominated their first match 12-3 before Yianni had to forfeit the second. Then, in September, more bad news: another surgery. Yianni shared his trademark humor through the pain: “Tomorrow I’ll be getting my labrum repaired, making it my 9th surgery in the last 7.5 years. Pretty soon, I’m going to run out of body parts to hurt, then you’re all in big trouble.” Despite the setbacks, the fire never faded.
Now, six months later, Yianni is officially back. Next month, he’s set to compete at the U.S. Open at 70kg—his first time on the mat since the 2024 Olympic Trials. After months of recovery, he’s ready to make a statement. Is this a return to form? A shot at redemption? Either way, wrestling fans better buckle up—because Yianni Diakomihalis is back, and he’s coming for that world team spot.
Officially back! Next month, @YianniD_LGR will return as he competes at the US Open up at 70kg.
Yianni has not competed since the 2024 Olympic Trials, after having surgery on his Labrum back in August.
So pumped to not only see him back on the mat but to see him up at 70kg! pic.twitter.com/0gOOWqWF9E
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) March 16, 2025
But no matter what happens next, one year will always stand out: 2018. The year he battled through injury, refused to quit, and kept fighting. And the result? Win or lose? But that asks the question, what makes the Rochester, NY native different? Well, for that, we might need to go back to 2018. After all, that was the year he truly overcame the greatest adversities.
A championship moment that separated the men wrestling from the Boys
Back in 2018, when Yianni Diakomihalis was a freshman, he tore his ACL in the first period of his NCAA quarterfinal match against national champion Dean Heil, but he didn’t know it at the time. Instead of stopping, he kept wrestling, winning that match and two more to claim the NCAA title at 141 pounds. Even in the final against Wyoming’s Bryce Meredith, he pulled off a clutch four-point cradle in the last 20 seconds to secure a 7-4 victory.
Wrestling his last three matches on a torn ACL, he initially shrugged it off as just some pain and looseness in the knee. His confidence carried him through, making him only the second Cornell freshman after Kyle Dake to win a national championship. However, after the tournament, the full extent of the injury set in. And if that moment proved his toughness, what he accomplished by 2024 solidified his legacy.
Yianni claimed his fourth NCAA title with a 4-2 victory over Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso in the 149-pound final, capping off a dominant 21-1 season. And then he became a four-time All-American! He ended his college career on a 21-match win streak, going 10-1 against ranked opponents and earning unanimous first-team Ivy League honors for the fourth time. From battling a torn ACL to making Cornell history, Yianni’s career was all heart and hustle. Let us hope he can finally reach the heights he was almost meant to be.
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