Lilledahl goes for back-to-back U23 World titles at 57kg
Justin Basch says the NCAA champ at 125 has reached the gold medal match at all five age-group World Championships he has entered.
Luke Lilledahl wrestles for a second straight U23 World title at 57kg in Las Vegas this week, per Justin Basch. The Penn State 125 pounder, the reigning NCAA champion at the weight, already owns age-group World gold at U17, U20 and U23. He opens Saturday, with medal matches Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
Five tournaments, five finals
The number Basch leads with is the one that matters. Lilledahl has entered five age-group World Championships and reached the gold medal match in all five. Three of those finishes were gold, at U17, U20 and U23.
A second U23 title would be the fourth age-group world championship of his career and would come on home soil, with the tournament in Las Vegas.
What is new
Nothing about the resume has changed. What is new is the draw in front of him, and the timing. Lilledahl is coming off an NCAA title at 125 in folkstyle and is now back at 57kg in freestyle, the weight where he has done his age-group damage.
Basch did not list opponents or a bracket. Nobody has posted who Lilledahl faces first.
Why it matters
At a weight where the senior level picture in the United States is crowded, a second U23 gold is the clearest signal available that Lilledahl is next in line at 57kg. It also sets up his next college season with a world title attached to his name rather than a near miss.
Things to watch
Lilledahl opens Saturday. Medal matches go Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
Five age-group World Championships. Five gold medal matches.
He already owns World gold at U17, U20 and U23.
Know it before the group chat does
One email a day. Under three minutes. College duals, brackets, transfers and international results.