Breakdown: Zain Retherford World Team Trials 2019

Zain Retherford, PA (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) Photo courtesy of Tony RotundoUSA Wrestling has an embarrassment of riches at 65 kilograms. Yianni Diakomihalis amazed domestic fans with his incredible run at the US Open, then outdid himself by taking out World #1 Bajrang Puniain a wild exhibition bout at Beat the Streets. Diakomihalis teammate and former Cowboy Jordan Oliver is back on the scene and in great form, 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro is still a force, and there’s plenty of young blood waiting in the wings. Even with the retirement of four-time NCAA champion and 2016 World champion Logan Stieber, the US is in great shape at 65. That made it all the more impressive when Penn State’s two-time Hodge Trophy winner and 2017 World team member Zain Retherford won four straight matches to earn a rematch with Diakomihalis at Final X: Rutgers.

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