61kg is already looking to be one of the most exciting weights at the US Open.
Competitors:
Seth Gross
Nathan Tomasello
Vito Arujau
Daniel DeShazer
Austin Desanto
Joe Colon
Nahshon Garrett
Daton Fix?
Daton Fix has not entered the US Open as of yet, but with that being said their is no wrestler sitting in Final X. This means that the winner of the Open would book their ticket to Final X and they would face the winner of the world team trials challenge tournament.
Former world teamers:
Seth Gross made the world team for the USA last year as he upset Daton Fix at Final X. Gross would go on to take 5th place at the world championships.
Nahshon Garrett won Final X in 2018 but was unable to wrestle at the world championships. Joe Colon would take his place and secure a bronze medal finish.
Other names to watch:
Nathan Tomasello was a finalist for the 2021 world team spot but would lose to Daton Fix in the finals. Fix would go on to win a world silver medal that year.
Desanto is in for the Open and he has been on a tear recently. He won’t be the favorite to win the Open at this point in time but with his unrelenting pace and intensity who knows.
Vito Arujau put on possibly one of the most dominant displays at the national tournament where he handled Daton Fix and Roman Bravo-Young decisively. He fell to Thomas Gilman in the finals of the Olympic trials as well as in Final X this past year down at 57kgs. He could come out and do big things so this will be interesting for him.
Daniel DeShazer was overlooked last year but he made it to the challenge tournament finals where he took on Seth Gross. He would end up losing that bout but has been competing and looking good, he is definitely someone to watch heading into the Open.
