USA, Japan and Iran announce freestyle wrestling rosters for the 2026 World Championships

The freestyle wrestling national teams of the United States, Japan and Iran have finalized their rosters for the 2026 World Championships, which will take place in Astana from October 24 to November 1.

In the United States, the roster was formed following the Final X event. The main story was Kyle Dake’s comeback: the four-time world champion lost the first bout to Zahid Valencia, but then won two straight matches — 4-1 and 4-0 — to earn his place on the team at 86 kg.

Spencer Lee, Marcus Blaze, Zain Retherford, James Green, Levi Haines, Trent Hidlay, Kyle Snyder and Wyatt Hendrickson also made the U.S. team. The representative at 65 kg has not yet been determined: the series between Real Woods and Bo Bassett was postponed due to Woods’ injury.

USA roster for the 2026 World Championships

57 kg — Spencer Lee
61 kg — Marcus Blaze
65 kg — Real Woods / Bo Bassett
70 kg — Zain Retherford
74 kg — James Green
79 kg — Levi Haines
86 kg — Kyle Dake
92 kg — Trent Hidlay
97 kg — Kyle Snyder
125 kg — Wyatt Hendrickson

Final X results in the United States

57 kg: Spencer Lee defeated Luke Lilledahl — 2-0 (7-1, 8-4)
61 kg: Marcus Blaze defeated Jax Forrest — 2-1 (2-2, 1-6, 5-2)
70 kg: Zain Retherford defeated Ridge Lovett — 2-0 (2-1, 8-2)
74 kg: James Green defeated David Carr — 2-1 (6-3, 5-6, 4-1)
79 kg: Levi Haines defeated Chandler Marsteller — 2-0 (6-1, 6-3)
86 kg: Kyle Dake defeated Zahid Valencia — 2-1 (2-3, 4-1, 4-0)
92 kg: Trent Hidlay defeated Michael Macchiavello — 2-0 (2-1, 8-3)
97 kg: Kyle Snyder defeated Stephen Buchanan — 2-1 (5-2, 5-5, 9-3)
125 kg: Wyatt Hendrickson defeated Mason Parris — 2-0 (9-5, 7-1)

Iran finalizes roster after trials in three weight classes

Iran has also finalized its roster for the World Championships. The final selection bouts were held in the 74 kg, 92 kg and 97 kg weight classes.

At 74 kg, Amirmohammad Yazdani defeated Younes Emami twice — 10-6 and 11-7. At 92 kg, Amirhossein Firouzpour earned the spot after getting past Mohammadmobin Azimi. At 97 kg, Hassan Yazdani defeated Amirali Azarpira twice — 4-2 and 5-3.

At the same time, Younes Emami and Amirali Azarpira will represent Iran at the Asian Games in Japan.

Iran roster for the 2026 World Championships

57 kg — Milad Valizadeh
61 kg — Ahmad Javan
65 kg — Rahman Amouzad
70 kg — Sina Khalili
74 kg — Amirmohammad Yazdani
79 kg — Mohammad Nokhodi
86 kg — Kamran Ghasempour
92 kg — Amirhossein Firouzpour
97 kg — Hassan Yazdani
125 kg — Amir Zare

Iran trials results

74 kg: Amirmohammad Yazdani defeated Younes Emami — 2-0 (10-6, 11-7)
92 kg: Amirhossein Firouzpour defeated Mohammadmobin Azimi — 2-0 (2-2, 2-1)
97 kg: Hassan Yazdani defeated Amirali Azarpira — 2-0 (4-2, 5-3)

Japan announces full roster

Japan has also announced its roster for the World Championships in Astana. The team will be represented in all ten weight classes. However, some of the team’s leaders did not compete in the trials and were not included in the roster. Rei Higuchi and Masanosuke Ono are expected to compete at the Olympic qualifying World Championships in 2027.

Japan roster for the 2026 World Championships

57 kg — Yamato Ogawa
61 kg — Toshihiro Hasegawa
65 kg — Kaisei Tanabe
70 kg — Yuma Tomiyama
74 kg — Yoshinosuke Aoyagi
79 kg — Kayvan Gharedaghi
86 kg — Natsura Okazawa
92 kg — Sorato Kanazawa
97 kg — Arash Yoshida
125 kg — Taiki Yamamoto