High Schooler PJ Duke Beats Diakomihalis for US 2025 World Wrestling Spot

PJ Duke, an incoming Penn State freshman and high school wrestling sensation, stunned the wrestling world by defeating four-time NCAA champion and 2022 World Silver Medalist Yianni Diakomihalis in a best-of-three final at the 2025 Final X tournament in Newark, New Jersey. Duke lost the first match 10-0 but rallied to win the second match 17-10 and pinned Diakomihalis in the decisive third match to secure a spot on the U.S. senior World Championship team in the 70 kg division. This victory made Duke the youngest U.S. male freestyle wrestler to compete at the senior World Championships, set to take place in Croatia in September 2025. Diakomihalis acknowledged Duke's talent and congratulated him after the match, despite having expressed a strong competitive mindset before their bout, saying he would "try to mangle" Duke—a comment Duke took personally and used as motivation. Duke's remarkable performance at Final X, including victories over multiple NCAA champions during the World Team Trials, marks a significant upset and highlights his rapid rise in the sport. Other notable results at Final X included Zahid Valencia defeating Kyle Dake and several other wrestlers securing their places on the U.S. team.