Kyle Dake's amazing wrestling career

Psalm 1 guy · Sunday at 1:17 AM

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.

Efejle · Sunday at 4:02 AM

One more left: Olympic championship

Efejle · Sunday at 4:03 AM

And then dedicated to his Dad

Kingslayer · Sunday at 7:14 AM

Probably should mention the silver and bronze medals . All in 8 world medals

lookleftgoright · Sunday at 8:21 AM

Well to be fair, he is getting younger every year. They say youth is wasted on the young, but not for Kyle.

On a serious note - DARN IMPRESSIVE!!

Lil Nicky Scarfo · Sunday at 12:42 PM

Psalm 1 guy said:
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.

I see at least one potential Nittany Lion wrestler

Dogwelder · Sunday at 2:14 PM

Does anyone know how to make a list of the best wrestlers that Kyle Dake has beaten and all the wrestlers that have beaten him?

That would really make the point of how great he is. Probably nobody else would have as great a list, because everybody else is not catching great wrestlers across so many weight classes

El_Jefe · Sunday at 2:31 PM

Efejle said:
One more left: Olympic championship

Well, yeah, but I'm rooting for Levi in the trials. Nothing against Dake, happy to root for him against anybody else.

Sunshine88! · Sunday at 2:40 PM

Psalm 1 guy said:
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.

So happy he’s in our NLWC. Best Program in the World By Far.

El_Jefe · Sunday at 2:49 PM

Dogwelder said:
Does anyone know how to make a list of the best wrestlers that Kyle Dake has beaten and all the wrestlers that have beaten him?

That would really make the point of how great he is. Probably nobody else would have as great a list, because everybody else is not catching great wrestlers across so many weight classes

Here you go:

Kyle Dake - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It doesn't include any regular season or EIWA folk wins. Otherwise looks comprehensive.

Note, you have to read the actual text for his matches at Trials, RAF, Yarygin, etc. -- which includes some notables like Cenzo, Isaiah Martinez, etc.

It's a stunningly long list of high-end victims.

Psalm 1 guy · Sunday at 4:23 PM

Dogwelder said:
Does anyone know how to make a list of the best wrestlers that Kyle Dake has beaten and all the wrestlers that have beaten him?

That would really make the point of how great he is. Probably nobody else would have as great a list, because everybody else is not catching great wrestlers across so many weight classes

UWW used to list all the wrestlers' match results, but now I believe you have to pay for that access.

Psalm 1 guy · Sunday at 4:26 PM

Kingslayer said:
Probably should mention the silver and bronze medals . All in 8 world medals

Gracias! Duh on my part for leaving out those other medals.

zzs006 · Sunday at 4:38 PM

It’s getting to be a pretty interesting question about the USA goat. I had John Smith for a long time until JB overtook him. Now there is JB, DT, Dake, and Snyder all near the top. Who do you guys have? If Snyder keeps wrestling til he’s 40 like he says it’s hard to not see him being at the top

mcpat · Sunday at 4:56 PM

zzs006 said:
It’s getting to be a pretty interesting question about the USA goat. I had John Smith for a long time until JB overtook him. Now there is JB, DT, Dake, and Snyder all near the top. Who do you guys have? If Snyder keeps wrestling til he’s 40 like he says it’s hard to not see him being at the top

Interesting question.

Edit: Bruce Baumgartner has 13 total Olympic/World medals. 5 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze. 9 World (3 Gold) and 4 Olympic (2 Gold).

Snyder has 11 total Olympic/World Medals. 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze. 9 World (5 Gold) and 2 Olympic (1 Gold).

Burroughs has 10 total. 7 Gold, 3 Bronze. 9 World (6 Gold), 1 Olympic (Gold).

Dake has 8 total. 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze. 6 World (5 Gold), 2 Olympic (both Bronze).

Smith has 6 total. All Gold. 4 World and 2 Olympic.

DT has 6 total. 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze. 5 World (3 Gold) and 1 Olympic (Gold).

You have to consider that Smith and Baumgartner were doing it without the support that exists today. They weren’t making a living from competing alone like the rest have been able. On the other hand, having fewer Olympic weight classes has made winning Olympic medals tougher for the current group.

There’s no right or wrong opinion here, but I’m probably going with Smith still. I think it was harder to do it when he was doing it, and 6 straight years with a gold hasn’t been equaled.

a_mshaffer · Sunday at 5:03 PM

mcpat said:
Interesting question.

Snyder has 11 total Olympic/World Medals. 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze. 9 World (5 Gold) and 2 Olympic (1 Gold).

Burroughs has 10 total. 7 Gold, 3 Bronze. 9 World (6 Gold), 1 Olympic (Gold).

Dake has 8 total. 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze. 6 World (5 Gold), 2 Olympic (both Bronze).

Smith has 6 total. All Gold. 4 World and 2 Olympic.

DT has 6 total. 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze. 5 World (3 Gold) and 1 Olympic (Gold).

You have to consider that Smith was doing it without the support that exists today. He wasn’t making a living from competing alone like the rest have been able. On the other hand, having fewer Olympic weight classes has made winning Olympic medals tougher for the current group.

There’s no right or wrong opinion here, but I’m probably going with Smith still. I think it was harder to do it when he was doing it, and 6 straight years with a gold hasn’t been equaled.

no Bruce Baumgartner consideration?
4 Olympic medals (2-Gold, 1-Silver, 1-Bronze), 9 World Championship medals (3-Gold, 3-Silver, 3-Bronze) and 4 Pan-American medals (3-Gold, 1-Silver); he has also won 12 World Cup medals (7-Gold, 5-Silver), an NCAA title (and 2 Runner-Up finishes), 4 Olympic Festival titles, 2 AAU National titles and a Junior National title

Kingslayer · Sunday at 5:26 PM

mcpat said:
Interesting question.

Snyder has 11 total Olympic/World Medals. 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze. 9 World (5 Gold) and 2 Olympic (1 Gold).

Burroughs has 10 total. 7 Gold, 3 Bronze. 9 World (6 Gold), 1 Olympic (Gold).

Dake has 8 total. 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze. 6 World (5 Gold), 2 Olympic (both Bronze).

Smith has 6 total. All Gold. 4 World and 2 Olympic.

DT has 6 total. 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze. 5 World (3 Gold) and 1 Olympic (Gold).

You have to consider that Smith was doing it without the support that exists today. He wasn’t making a living from competing alone like the rest have been able. On the other hand, having fewer Olympic weight classes has made winning Olympic medals tougher for the current group.

There’s no right or wrong opinion here, but I’m probably going with Smith still. I think it was harder to do it when he was doing it, and 6 straight years with a gold hasn’t been equaled.

I think you have separate the guys who did it before the training centers were around . In the current era I go with Synder number 1 and Dake 2nd. In the last couple years with JB being such a Dbag he slides from 2 to 3rd.

mcpat · Sunday at 5:34 PM

a_mshaffer said:
no Bruce Baumgartner consideration?
4 Olympic medals (2-Gold, 1-Silver, 1-Bronze), 9 World Championship medals (3-Gold, 3-Silver, 3-Bronze) and 4 Pan-American medals (3-Gold, 1-Silver); he has also won 12 World Cup medals (7-Gold, 5-Silver), an NCAA title (and 2 Runner-Up finishes), 4 Olympic Festival titles, 2 AAU National titles and a Junior National title

Added by edit.

creamery freak · Sunday at 6:45 PM

Kingslayer said:
I think you have separate the guys who did it before the training centers were around . In the current era I go with Synder number 1 and Dake 2nd. In the last couple years with JB being such a Dbag he slides from 2 to 3rd.

Plus there's the Manning factor with JB.

zzs006 · Sunday at 7:25 PM

I knew Big Bruce had a lot of medals but I forgot how many were gold. Pretty incredible career. Smith with 6 straight golds is tough to beat. If Dake makes the Olympic team and brings home a medal he’s right there. I think when all have retired Snyder will stand at the top. DT had 1 of the best peaks of anyone but he couldn’t make the team until he was older losing to JB, Dake, and Cox

An Old Pair of Asics · Sunday at 8:52 PM

El_Jefe said:
Well, yeah, but I'm rooting for Levi in the trials. Nothing against Dake, happy to root for him against anybody else.

Efejle said:
And then dedicated to his Dad

Are you two related?

Psalm 1 guy · Monday at 2:22 AM

An Old Pair of Asics said:
Are you two related?

Only in a reverse sort of way : )

WexfordWarrior · Monday at 2:36 AM

Psalm 1 guy said:
Only in a reverse sort of way : )

Dogwelder · Monday at 3:50 AM

An Old Pair of Asics said:
Are you two related?

Psalm 1 guy · Monday at 3:16 PM

I thought I would add this video here since it goes to some of the thoughts I have on Kyle:

creamery freak · Monday at 3:34 PM

Psalm 1 guy said:
I thought I would add this video here since it goes to some of the thoughts I have on Kyle:

Good find Psalm 1 guy, that was really powerful.

Nitlion1986 · Monday at 8:20 PM

Psalm 1 guy said:
I thought I would add this video here since it goes to some of the thoughts I have on Kyle:

Thanks. I never had any idea how meaningful those reaching out moments were until mine passed.

JA1339 · 2026-11-03T10:12:14-0600

Psalm 1 guy said:
I thought I would add this video here since it goes to some of the thoughts I have on Kyle:

That video hit me right in the feels. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

But seriously, I’m always amazed at the outstanding character individuals that our team and our RTC has been blessed with.

JA1339 · 2026-11-03T10:19:44-0600

mcpat said:
Interesting question.

Edit: Bruce Baumgartner has 13 total Olympic/World medals. 5 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze. 9 World (3 Gold) and 4 Olympic (2 Gold).

Snyder has 11 total Olympic/World Medals. 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze. 9 World (5 Gold) and 2 Olympic (1 Gold).

Burroughs has 10 total. 7 Gold, 3 Bronze. 9 World (6 Gold), 1 Olympic (Gold).

Dake has 8 total. 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze. 6 World (5 Gold), 2 Olympic (both Bronze).

Smith has 6 total. All Gold. 4 World and 2 Olympic.

DT has 6 total. 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze. 5 World (3 Gold) and 1 Olympic (Gold).

You have to consider that Smith and Baumgartner were doing it without the support that exists today. They weren’t making a living from competing alone like the rest have been able. On the other hand, having fewer Olympic weight classes has made winning Olympic medals tougher for the current group.

There’s no right or wrong opinion here, but I’m probably going with Smith still. I think it was harder to do it when he was doing it, and 6 straight years with a gold hasn’t been equaled.

IF Kyle is tied with anyone on this list, the tiebreaker for me would be 4 Natties at 4 different weights, and the amazing success he had against DT.

Kyle Dake's amazing wrestling career

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference

Senior

All-Conference

All-American

All-Conference

Heisman

All-Conference

Heisman

All-American

All-American

All-American

Heisman

Senior

Senior

Heisman

All-Conference

All-American

Senior

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-American

All-Conference

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference