Final X 2025: Kyle Snyder wins 97 KG in return to wrestling

Kyle Snyder stayed quiet but was all business at Final X Saturday in Newark, sweeping Hayden Zillmer to win the 97 KG spot again. The former Ohio State star and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist is synonymous with this weight class and that’s all that was said inside the arena.

Snyder was not immediately available for comment in the champions media scrum following his victory. The former Buckeye and two-time Olympic medalist was ushered through the back tunnels behind media members on scene. While present, On3 asked if Snyder would be available and were told no. Snyder was recently arrested in a prostitution case back in May. He eventually plead guilty to a lesser charge.

While his only public comments were a tweet leading into Final X, Snyder was back to work on the mat. He beat Zillmer 8-0 and 8-2 in his two matches to rep the United States the 2025 World Championships.

Snyder was arrested for engaging in prostitution by uniformed officers inside the reported hotel room. The wrestling star was released from custody at the scene. He was also summoned to appear in court on May 19. The body cam footage shows the wrestler’s arrest and walk down the hallway for further questioning.

Snyder’s demeanor was very calm and he appeared to cooperate fully with the officers, per the video. Now, Snyder and the public will await what’s next when it comes to his court summons. He’s currently scheduled to wrestle next at Final X in June at 97 KG to compete for the Team USA spot for the World Championships, a spot he’s held since his collegiate days.

As a wrestler, Snyder is one of the most decorated American wrestlers in history. He became the youngest American male to win a gold medal at the Olympics when he won in 2016 in Rio while also wrestling in college.

Snyder also won a silver medal at the 2020 (2021 after postponement) Tokyo Olympics. He did not medal in Paris in 2024, but was on his third straight Olympic team and the expectation is he’ll try to make a fourth for 2028.

To train for freestyle wrestling, Snyder reps the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, the senior level training center housed inside Penn State. He joined the loaded room following his career at Ohio State.

Snyder has 30 total gold medals across the Olympics, World Championships and more. He also has five silver and seven bronze medals.

At Ohio State, Snyder was a four-time NCAA finalist (once at 197 and three times at 285). He was a runner-up in 2015 and then won three straight titles at heavyweight from 2016-18. Snyder finished his collegiate career with a 75-5 record.