This fifth World Championships gold medal from Kyle got me thinking about what all he has accomplished in his storied wrestling career. Consider the following:
-- NCAA champion at 141, 149, 157 and 165 pounds
-- Won the Hodge trophy in 2013
-- World champion at 74kg, 79kg and now at 86kg
-- Beat Zahid Valencia at the U.S. World Team Trials to make the team. Valencia had won gold at the 2025 World Championships, outscoring his opponents 49-0
-- Won his fifth World title at 35. He will be 36 in February
-- Joined NLWC in 2022
I must admit, I didn't particularly like Kyle much when he was younger, thinking he had too big an ego. Over the last few years, I have seen a more humble competitor and dedicated family man. He has talked openly that in 2024/25 he committed his life to Christ after his father became ill and died in late 2024. At around the same time, one of Kyle's three children became severely ill, but ultimately recovered. Kyle has mentioned that he now tries to better balance his wrestling career and family life/faith. It is sometimes too easy for us fans to separate the wrestler from their personal life, but it is great to see that Kyle is a champion off the mat also. Congratulations to Kyle on his fifth World title and thanks for joining NLWC also.
-- NCAA champion at 141, 149, 157 and 165 pounds
-- Won the Hodge trophy in 2013
-- World champion at 74kg, 79kg and now at 86kg
-- Beat Zahid Valencia at the U.S. World Team Trials to make the team. Valencia had won gold at the 2025 World Championships, outscoring his opponents 49-0
-- Won his fifth World title at 35. He will be 36 in February
-- Joined NLWC in 2022
I must admit, I didn't particularly like Kyle much when he was younger, thinking he had too big an ego. Over the last few years, I have seen a more humble competitor and dedicated family man. He has talked openly that in 2024/25 he committed his life to Christ after his father became ill and died in late 2024. At around the same time, one of Kyle's three children became severely ill, but ultimately recovered. Kyle has mentioned that he now tries to better balance his wrestling career and family life/faith. It is sometimes too easy for us fans to separate the wrestler from their personal life, but it is great to see that Kyle is a champion off the mat also. Congratulations to Kyle on his fifth World title and thanks for joining NLWC also.
