Dake wins World gold at a third different weight
At 35, Kyle Dake is the oldest American man ever to win a freestyle World title, and he did it at a weight he had never won at before. Sunday morning the US can clinch the men's freestyle team title, with Spencer Lee wrestling Roman Bravo-Young for 57kg gold.
The one that matters
Dake beats Dzhioev 3-2 for 86kg gold, fifth World title
Kyle Dake won the 86kg World title in Astana, beating No. 1 seed Arsenii Dzhioev of Azerbaijan 3-2 in the final. He went 6-0 on the week for title No. 5 (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2026), and now owns golds at 74kg, 79kg and 86kg, joining Abdulrashid Sadulaev as a champion at three weights.
Is it time to start putting Kyle Dake in the GOAT Category?
Why it matters: Dake's gold lands in the middle of a US men's freestyle team title chase.
- Sunday morning finals close out Astana
On the mat
Spencer Lee meets Roman Bravo-Young for 57kg World gold
Spencer Lee and Roman Bravo-Young both made the 57kg World final, setting up Iowa versus Penn State for a World title Sunday morning. Lee trailed Azerbaijan's Islam Bazarganov 10-5 in the semifinal and pinned him; Bravo-Young beat North Korea's Chong Han 4-1 wrestling for Mexico. Lee had teched his first three opponents before the semi, per Justin Basch.
Can I interest you in Spencer Lee vs Roman Bravo-Young for a world title?
Why it matters: A US gold at 57kg is one of the two Team USA needs to clinch the team title.
- Lee vs Bravo-Young, roughly 8:25 a.m. ET Sunday
USA leads Russia 180-145 with three golds on the line Sunday
Team USA takes a 180-145 lead over Russia into the final day of men's freestyle in Astana, with Russia able to reach 185 at most. Two American golds ends it, per Justin Basch, and so does one gold plus a Russian loss.
USA Men's Freestyle is wrestling in a medal match in 9 weights
Why it matters: It would be the first US men's freestyle World team title since 2022.
- Hidlay vs Gadzhimagomedov could settle it head to head
- Haines vs Nokhodilarimi around 8:09 a.m. ET