A New York superstar is returning home.
Two-time World medalist Nick Gwiazdowski, who won a pair of state championships for Duanesburg High School and became an All-American as a true freshman heavyweight at Binghamton, is coming back to the Empire State as a member of the Spartan Combat Regional Training Center.
“I honestly never saw myself leaving North Carolina,” Gwiazdowski said of his home of the past nine years. “When Mike [Grey] reached out at the beginning of June, it was hard to picture leaving at first. But as I learned more and thought more about it, I realized what exciting opportunities there are for me in Ithaca. I’m excited to have some different bodies and different brains around me, to help me grow as a wrestler and challenge me technically, physically and mentally. It’s a really nice area and there’s a winning tradition and a commitment to success.”
Gwiazdowski is one of the top 125 kilogram freestyle wrestlers in the world. A two-time World bronze medalist, he has captured titles at the US Open, Pan American Championships, and the Grand Prix of Spain. The runner up at the 2021 Olympic Trials, Gwiazdowski has also medaled in top notch events such as the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix, the Poland Open, the Henri Deglane Grand Prix, and the Yasar Dogu International.
Gwiazdowski said there was appeal to being back in New York - and being around other New York legends.
“That was definitely part of it,” Gwiazdowski said. “Yianni [Diakomihakis] and Vito [Arujau] are two of the youngest guys on the senior level who are already at such a high level. I know I have things to learn from those guys. It’s definitely a perk to be around younger minds to humble yourself. Kyle [Dake] is one of my favorite people to talk wrestling with. I really enjoy picking his brain and conversing about ideas.”
He’ll apply those ideas as he continues to train for international competition. He plans to wrestle at the upcoming World Team Trials (assuming the event takes place).
The two-time Final X champion spent his last three years of college at North Carolina State, where he captured two NCAA titles and made the finals three times.
“I’m really grateful for the years I spent in Raleigh,” Gwiazdowski said. “The people and the opportunities were amazing with the Wolfpack family. It was very special - I never would’ve predicted how great the time in North Carolina was going to be. Now, my girlfriend and I are excited for a new chapter. I’m looking forward to more success and relationship building in Ithaca.”