On Wednesday night at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden, three-time World champion Kyle Dake and Yianni Diakomihalis both swept their Final X matches to clinch their spots on Team USA for the 2022 Senior World Championships in freestyle.
Dake defeated Jason Nolf by 4-2 and 2-1 scores at 74 kg and will look to win his fourth World title in Serbia in September. The four-time NCAA champion also was an Olympic bronze medalist last year.
Meanwhile, Diakomihalis made his second straight Senior World team after beating Evan Henderson at 65 kg. In the first match, Diakomihalis used a step out point with less than five seconds left on the way to an 11-9 victory. The second bout wasn't as dramatic, as Diakomihalis was in control throughout a 14-4 technical fall.
Two-time World medalist Nick Gwiazdowski prevailed in his opener against Hayden Zillmer, 5-0. He held leads in the second and third matches at 125 kg, but Zillmer stormed back in both to grab the World Team position at heavyweight.
Earlier in the day, a win by Jay Aiello over Isaac Trumble for Senior true third at 92 kg secured the U23 World team slot for Jacob Cardenas at 92 kg. Cardenas was dominant on his way to the championship at the U23 Trials last weekend, however, the true third winner would have had the rights to the U23 World Team spot if eligible. (Aiello is older than 23).
Spartan Combat RTC features SEVEN World Team members:
Senior Freestyle
Yianni Diakomihalis (65 kg)
Kyle Dake (74 kg)
Youssif Hemida (125 kg) - Egypt
U23 Freestyle
Vito Arujau (57 kg)
Jacob Cardenas (92 kg)
U23 Greco Roman
Phillip Moomey (60 kg)
U20 Freestyle
Vince Cornella (65 kg)