The 2025 US Open Wrestling Championships were one for the ages. Held in the Fight Capital of the World at Las Vegas, Nevada, it delivered a seismic shake-up to the American wrestling scene this past weekend. As a cornerstone event in the wrestling calendar, the US Open was set to determine which grapplers make it to the Final X coming up in June. With a chance to get a spot on the Team USA wrestling team, it was a given that the bouts would be wild. And let’s just say we weren’t disappointed.
The night was nothing short of electrifying, with jaw-dropping upsets, dominant performances, and the rise of new talent lighting up the mats at the South Point Hotel & Casino. From Zahid Valencia ending Kyle Dake’s seven-year undefeated streak against Americans to Wyatt Hendrickson bulldozing through the heavyweight division, the road to the World Championships just got a lot more intriguing. But who were the standout performers that stole the show? Let’s dive in.
Wyatt Hendrickson Continues the Dream Run
Now we all know that Wyatt Hendrickson is on fire. And there’s no stopping him. The NCAA Heavyweight champion continued his dominant run by capping off the 2025 US Open. His victim in the finals? Demetrius Thomas. Captain America dominated his opponent as he won by a technical fall victory with a score of 14-3 in just 3:51 minutes.
This was yet another masterclass by Wyatt, continuing on a trend that saw him dispatch Lucas Stoddard with an 11-0 technical fall in just 26 seconds. He also outclassed Trent Hillger in the semis with a 10-4 victory. As Justin Basch noted on X, this victory marks a trifecta of accolades for Hendrickson in 2025: Big 12 Champion, NCAA Champion, and now US Open Champion.
“What a couple of months for Wyatt Hendrickson!” Basch exclaimed, highlighting his qualification for Final X, where he’ll await the winner of the World Team Trials for a shot at the World Championships team. Can Hendrickson maintain his reign of dominance at Final X? Well, we have to wait till June. But Wyatt wasn’t the only big name at the US Open. Some other A-listers who entered the stage.
What a couple of months for Wyatt Hendrickson!
Big 12 Champ
NCAA Champ
US Open Champ
He’s heading to Final X where he’ll look to make a World team! He’ll await the winner of the World Team Trials. pic.twitter.com/cAfWhM7rfd
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) April 27, 2025
Kyle Dake Falls as Zahid Valencia Conquers American Star
In a moment that left the wrestling world in disbelief, Zahid Valencia handed Kyle Dake his first loss to an American in seven years. The 86 kg final saw Valencia outmaneuver the veteran Dake, securing an 8-4 decision victory. Dake, who had been untouchable against domestic competition since 2018, showed flashes of his usual brilliance early in the tournament, rolling through his first opponent in under 30 seconds.
But Valencia, known for his tactical prowess, controlled the match’s pace and capitalized on Dake’s uncharacteristic mistakes. Justin Basch captured the magnitude of the upset on X, stating, “Zahid Valencia beat Kyle Dake, who hadn’t lost to a fellow American in the last seven years.” This win not only secures Valencia’s spot in Final X but also marks a turning point in the 86 kg division. But while the US Open saw the fall of a veteran, would it also see the rise of a rookie?
Dream Debut for Jax Forrest as Seth Gross Suffers Heartbreak
Jax Forrest announced his arrival on the senior stage with a statement win at 61 kg, taking down NCAA Champion Seth Gross in a thrilling final. Forrest pinned Gross at the 6:00 mark, capping off a stunning debut in the senior division after transitioning from the junior level. Earlier in the tournament, Forrest showcased his technical skill, defeating Benjamin Davino 4-0 in the semifinals.
Justin Basch highlighted the upset on X, noting, “Jax Forrest beat Seth Gross after just switching from Junior to Senior.” Gross, a seasoned competitor, was among the favorites listed in the senior-level entries, alongside names like Austin DeSanto and Nico Megaludis, making Forrest’s victory even more impressive. Now headed to Final X, Forrest has positioned himself as a serious contender for the World Championships team. But what about the lighter weight classes—did they deliver similar fireworks?
Luke Lilledahl demolishes his opponents with an astonishing 40-4 Win
The competition at 57 kg was especially tough, as Luke Lilledahl turned heads with a jaw-dropping performance, racking up an incredible cumulative score across his matches en route to the US Open title. Results show Lilledahl’s dominance culminated in a 10-0 decision over Liam Cronin in the final, but his earlier bouts were even more lopsided, with multiple technical falls.
Justin Basch celebrated Lilledahl’s run on X, stating, “Luke Lilledahl wins the US Open at 57kg and will head to Final X for a showdown with Spencer Lee!” This commanding performance not only secured Lilledahl’s spot in Final X but also marked him as a rising star in the lighter weight classes. With stars like Nico Provo also in the 57 kg bracket, Lilledahl’s ability to dominate such a competitive field speaks volumes as he goes on to face Yoda in the Final X.
But what about the 92 kg category? How did that go?
Trent Hidlay overtakes Aeoden Sinclair 7-1
Trent Hidlay proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with at 92 kg, cruising to a 7-1 decision victory over Aeoden Sinclair in the finals. Hidlay’s performance was marked by his relentless pace and technical precision, allowing him to control the match from start to finish. Justin Basch shared the result on X, noting, “Trent Hidlay takes out Aeoden Sinclair 7-1.”
This win solidifies Hidlay’s spot in Final X, where he’ll look to continue his momentum and earn a spot on the World Championships team. Hidlay’s consistency in a division filled with heavy hitters sets him up as a favorite moving forward. But Hidlay wasn’t the only one who put on a one-sided domination of his opponents. We don’t even have to go too far, as it happened right in the 74 kg bracket.
Gets the Best of Him with a 16-6 Tech
The 74 kg final delivered a one-sided affair as Mitchell Mesenbrink dominated his opponent, David Carr, with a 16-6 technical fall. The moment was best captured as Justin Basch tweeted, “Mesenbrink gets the best of him with a 16-6 tech.” But again, there are no doubts about just how good Mesenbrink’s performance was on the mat. With a quick combination of takedowns and turns, the match was over in a blink.
This win also served to get Mesenbrink a place on the star-studded roster for the Final X. But if you think that, come June, Mesenbrink will have the same ease, then you’re mistaken. After all, the competition will feature a best-of-three series, and the winners will get to represent Team USA. With the stakes so much higher, Mesenbrink would have to be on his best game. And it’s not just him.
From Wyatt Hendrickson’s heavyweight dominance to Zahid Valencia’s historic upset over Kyle Dake and Jax Forrest’s breakout senior debut, the road to the World Championships in September is heating up. Who will rise to the occasion when the stakes are even higher? Wrestling fans won’t want to miss a second of the action as the journey continues.
The post US Open 2025 Recap: Kyle Dake Suffers First Defeat in 7 Years, Wyatt Hendrickson Continues Dream Run and More appeared first on EssentiallySports.