Dreshaun Ross Takes U20 World Silver as USA Medals in All 10 Men’s Freestyle Weights

Bratislava, Slovakia— Dreshaun Ross left Bratislava, Slovakia, with a U20 World silver medal at 125 kilograms and a sharper understanding of what it will take to reach the top of the international podium. The incoming Oklahoma State heavyweight reached the gold-medal final after a dominant tournament, then nearly completed a late comeback against Iran’s Abolfazl Mohammad Nezhad before dropping a 5-3 decision. Ross’ performance led Team USA’s closing group of medalists and helped the Americans finish a historic 10-for-10 medal effort while winning their third straight U20 men’s freestyle team championship.

The United States scored 205 team points to win the men’s freestyle title, finishing ahead of Russia with 155 and Japan with 130. Team USA earned four gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes while placing a wrestler on the podium in all 10 weight classes. The achievement marked the first time since 1979 that a U.S. U20 men’s freestyle team had medaled at every weight, while the 2026 Americans became the first team since the Soviet Union in 1988 to accomplish the feat at the U20 World Championships.

Ross was one of the event’s most impressive heavyweights, opening his run with three straight technical falls. He beat Korea’s Baejoon Jang, 10-0, Kazakhstan’s Riza Izakhar, 10-0, and Georgia’s Aleksandre Abramishvili, 12-0, before taking down Azerbaijan’s Yusif Dursunov, 4-1, in the semifinals. That run sent Ross to the 125 kg championship match against Mohammad Nezhad, the 2025 U23 World champion. The Iranian controlled much of the early score with two step-outs and a counter takedown, but Ross stayed dangerous through the final whistle. He scored a late takedown and nearly transitioned to a leg lace that could have changed the outcome before time expired.

Ross said the final gave him a clear takeaway about the importance of getting started earlier against elite opponents. “I tried to kind of go out there and get myself a lot of opportunities. I think I probably should have started a little faster than I did. But overall, when I’m there, I try to work pretty hard,” Ross said. “I’m just learning every match, and even matches like that, or matches that I win, I feel like I always learn stuff about myself, and coaches always have stuff for me from the results, so that’s always good.”

While a World final loss is difficult to accept in the moment, Ross said his silver medal has strengthened his confidence that he can eventually become the best heavyweight in the division. “I’m gonna go back to Stillwater and work on some different things and then get geared up and ready for the college season, but I think I definitely learned a lot—not only the wrestling, but myself, knowing that I can go out there and be the best in the world,” Ross said. “It might not have happened today, but it’s still in the near future. I’m a competitive person, so I’m ready to go again now. After I just got done wrestling, I’m already excited.”

Ross returns to Oklahoma State with his first U20 World medal and meaningful experience against international competition. He also said the chance to compete alongside one of the deepest young American teams in recent memory gave the trip a larger meaning. “It’s definitely really exciting to be around a bunch of high-level guys and coaches,” Ross said. “There pretty much could be 10 NCAA champions, you know?”

Michael Boyle completed the final session for the United States by claiming the 97 kg World title. The 17-year-old Ohio State commit beat Russia’s Rodion Sanakoev by a 12-2 technical fall in the final, breaking a 1-1 match wide open with five takedowns in the second period. Boyle was one of the tournament’s most dominant athletes, defeating Kazakhstan’s Samir Dursunov, 10-0, Japan’s Noah Leibowitz, 13-2, and Belarus’ Azamat Tsarikaev by fall in 2:37 before overpowering Sanakoev for gold.

Boyle said the title was the product of a summer dedicated to training and the people who supported him throughout the process. “I’m just grateful. I’ve invested a lot into this summer. This is all I’ve really done, but so have other people. Other people have invested a lot into me,” Boyle said. “My phone’s blowing up right now. My phone was blowing up before. So, I’m just really grateful for the community I have, for everyone that’s helped me in any way.”

Winning a U20 World championship before graduating high school was not a result Boyle had once expected, but he said his confidence grew when he committed completely to his training. “I kind of never really thought I’d be winning U20s as a 17-year-old, but once I started training, it was like, nothing’s going to stop me,” Boyle said. “I’m going to pour everything I have into this, and it worked out. So, I’m really grateful.”

Boyle said he relied on a repeated message during the championship match to stay focused on the pressure of the moment and the opportunity in front of him. “I always, especially this tournament, say kind of a phrase in my head the entire match, and it was, ‘I worked too hard,’” Boyle said. “I worked too hard for this to let it slip, to not wrestle my best, to not go out there and scrap with these guys. I was just repeating that to myself, and it really pays off when you end up with a gold medal around your neck. But the uncertainty is, what if you do all this and you don’t? So that’s what makes the sport great. That’s why I love it.”

The title also put Boyle in the middle of one of the most complete U.S. U20 World teams ever assembled. “I’m just grateful,” Boyle said. “It’s kind of intense during the tournament, so I don’t have a lot of time to really appreciate it, but looking back on it, God’s blessed me just so much. I’m grateful for the experience and this opportunity, and I still got a couple more years in the U20 division, so I’m excited for what’s to come.” Boyle will return home and turn immediately to high school football, where his team is trying to win a third consecutive state championship. He also thanked his family, coaches and faith for helping him reach the World podium. “My mom—she couldn’t make it out because she was a little sick. I love you, Mom. I know you wish you could be here,” Boyle said. “My dad, obviously, my coach—there’s so many people, man. I’m just so blessed, so grateful to God that he’s given me everything.”

At 74 kg, Jayden James finished with silver after one of the most dramatic finals in Bratislava. James dropped a 13-12 decision to Japan’s Ariya Yoshida when Yoshida scored a takedown with one second left. The 2025 U17 World champion earned his place in the final with an 11-0 technical fall over Slovakia’s Samuel Vokal, a 7-5 win over Italy’s Alessio Perentin, a 10-0 technical fall against Belarus’ Artsiom Bolsun and a 13-4 semifinal victory over Kazakhstan’s Nurdaulet Seilbekov.

James said the immediate disappointment of the final did not erase his appreciation for everyone who helped him reach a U20 World final, and he has already set his sights on his next chance to improve the result. “It’s awesome. I’m super grateful for everyone that’s put into me to make this possible,” James said. “Not the outcome we wanted, obviously, but it is what it is at the end of the day. Just got to get back to work, and I’ve got U23s coming up, so I’m looking to upgrade the medal there. No worries.”

James called the team accomplishment especially meaningful after helping the United States place a medalist in every class. “It’s pretty cool,” James said. “I think we clinched the team title before I even wrestled. Compared to last year at U17s, we needed a crazy miracle to win and we ended up winning, so it was a little bit different this year. But it’s super cool to have everyone medal. Again, it’s an awesome experience representing USA.”

The New Jersey native is beginning his college career at Penn State, a transition he described with enthusiasm both for life away from home and for the training opportunities inside one of the nation’s top wrestling rooms. “I’m excited. First time living without the parents, my own place. I have a kitchen in my apartment, so I’m trying out some stuff in the kitchen,” James said. “But yeah, it’s fun. It’s awesome being in the Penn State wrestling room. My coaches’ support system there is unlike any other place, and I’m excited to just continue to train and get better and be there for as long as possible.”

James also credited the people in his corner and his training partners for helping prepare him for the biggest international event of his career. “I had Coach KD in my corner. Coach Cael has helped me work out this whole weekend. My support system is like no other,” James said. “My last three partners before I left—the last four—were Masa Ono, PJ Duke, Zain Retherford and Jason Nolf. It doesn’t get any better than that. Coach Cody, Coach Casey, Coach Nick Lee, Adam Lynch, Jimmy Myatt—so many people, my parents, that are here for me to help me reach my goals. That’s what I do it for, is to make them proud.” His approach entering U23 competition will remain direct: “Mindset doesn’t change,” James said. “It’s just another tournament, but I’ve got to get back on the mat, get better, and then just go out there, wrestle and have fun, wrestle hard. Mindset doesn’t change—just another day.”

Landon Robideau sealed Team USA’s medal in every weight class with a 3-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Zalkarbek Tabaldiev in the 70 kg bronze-medal match. The 2026 NCAA champion trailed 1-0 after a shot-clock point in the first period but responded with two timely step-outs and added a shot-clock point of his own to secure bronze. Robideau had opened with a 12-1 technical fall against Georgia’s Zurab Abalaki, pinned Mongolia’s Ankh Altangerel at 5:59, and defeated Russia’s Mairbek Merov, 7-4, before losing a narrow 3-2 semifinal decision to eventual champion Sina Khalili of Iran.

Robideau said the medal was a meaningful accomplishment but not the result he ultimately wanted. “It’s cool. It’s a big tournament. Obviously, you’ve got NCAA’s, but besides that, U20s, U23s and seniors—that is another big tournament,” Robideau said. “So it’s cool getting a medal, but definitely not satisfied.”

He said the event also underscored the differences between international freestyle and folkstyle competition, especially the importance of positioning, pace and avoiding the type of exchanges that can lead to step-out points. “College is a little bit different. You can kind of grind out matches more. You’ve got more scrambling,” Robideau said. “So, I think pace is a big part of it, where here the guys are really good at staying in position, making them low-scoring matches and just kind of looking for push-outs. It’s something to adjust to, but it’s still good.”

After falling one win short of the 70 kg final, Robideau entered the bronze match knowing the result had major implications for the United States’ historic team achievement. “I was definitely thinking about it,” Robideau said. “Obviously, not getting what I wanted yesterday was hard, losing my semis match, but I knew it would do good for Team USA if I came out here with energy today, put on my best performance I can and go win a match. So, I tried to do that to the best of my ability. It’s cool being able to be part of history. It hasn’t happened in almost 50 years, so it’s definitely exciting.”

Robideau praised the coaches and teammates around the U.S. team, saying the opportunity to learn from wrestlers who have lived through the highest levels of the sport gave the trip added value. “We’ve had so many good coaches. You’ve got David Taylor, Jimmy Kennedy, Tyler Caldwell and the Oklahoma State RTC coaches,” Robideau said. “You’ve got all these guys, and some have won Olympic medals and achieved their dreams, and some haven’t. You kind of get both perspectives of what has happened with their careers, and they can teach us how to reflect on losses or improve from wins. It’s something that’s really special.” He also highlighted the chance to share the trip with Ross, who will join him at Oklahoma State: “Obviously, I’ve got Dreshaun Ross here, and he’s an incoming freshman and he’s already making the U20 World finals. Having some young guys like that already putting their mark on the world is something really cool.”

Robideau’s attention now turns to his college season and the pursuit of another NCAA title. “NCAA’s,” Robideau said. “I’ll be getting ready for NCAA season and go win another NCAA individual title and then a team title.” He also thanked the people who have supported him through both victories and setbacks. “First and foremost, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Robideau said. “Through all tribulations and just winning everything, on both sides, He’s there always. Then my family, my girlfriend, my brothers—they’re always supporting me no matter if I win or lose.”

Ross’ silver medal, Boyle’s gold, James’ silver and Robideau’s bronze completed a historic final session for the United States. Combined with gold-medal performances from Aaron Seidel at 61 kg, Bo Bassett at 65 kg and Aeoden Sinclair at 86 kg, Team USA left Bratislava with four World champions, a medal in every weight class and a third consecutive U20 men’s freestyle team championship.