Zahid Valencia credits David Taylor, Cowboy RTC following Final X victory

Zahid Valencia beat Olympic Bronze Medalist Kyle Dake at Final X Saturday and this seems like the best version of the two-time NCAA champion. Moving from Arizona State to Stillwater was a big move, but it’s paid off on the senior level.

A World Bronze Medalist in 2023 at 92 KG, Valencia dropped to 86 KG this time around and faced Dake, who moved up two weight classes this cycle. The difference this time? Valencia’s development under David Taylor in the Oklahoma State wrestling room. 

Funny enough, Valencia lost to Taylor at Final X in 2022 in both matches and was swept by Taylor at the 2024 World Team Trials at 92 KG. Now coached by him, Valencia beat a lifelong friend of his coach convincingly Saturday.

“I mean, more than I could ask for, you know,” Valencia said of moving to the Cowboy RTC. “I mean, it wasn’t an easy move. I was very happy at ASU, but something needed to change for sure. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting different results. 

“So I knew how to get out of my comfort zone. And man, it’s been, I’ve been so grateful, so blessed. You know? I feel like God put me in the right path of where I need to succeed, and the success just kind of proves what I was meant to do and make the move out there. So I’m just so happy for sure.”

Valencia beat Dake 8-4 in the US Open Finals back in April to clinch his spot in Final X in Newark. With Dake winning the World Team Trials challenge tournament, the two squared off for the spot once again.

Valencia won Match 1, 5-3 and then 4-1 in Match 2 to sweep the series. He was one of two Cowboy RTC athletes to clinch a spot on Team USA and represent for the World Championships. 2025 NCAA champion Wyatt Hendrickson swept his series with Trent Hillger at 125 KG to make his first senior world team. Class of 2026 commit and No. 1 overall prospect Jax Forrest will wrestle Vito Arujau next month in a delayed series from Final X for the spot at 61 KG, trying to become the third Cowboy on the team.

Valencia was 115-3 during his time at Arizona State, winning the 174 pound NCAA title in 2018 and ‘19 over fellow champ Mark Hall (Penn State). Valencia was third in 2017, finishing his career as a three-time All-American.

The 2025 Wrestling World Championships take place from September 13th to 21st in Zagreb, Croatia. Valencia, wrestling at 86 KG, will be wrestling within the first two days of the tournament based on the current schedule.