Previewing the 2025 USA Wrestling World Team Trials: Louisville Hosts the Nation’s Best
The road to Zagreb begins in Louisville. From May 16–17, 2025, the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky, will host the USA Wrestling World Team Trials—a critical qualifier for the 2025 Senior World Championships. Wrestlers will battle for the right to advance to Final X on June 14 in Newark, New Jersey, where the U.S. World Team will be finalized ahead of the global showdown in Croatia.
Key Dates and Schedule (All Times EST)
Friday, May 16:
- 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. – Preliminaries and quarterfinals
- 4:00–7:30 p.m. – Semifinals and consolation rounds
Saturday, May 17:
- 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. – Consolation semifinals and third-place matches
- 2:00–4:00 p.m. – Finals
Storylines to Watch
1. Young Stars Clash at 65 kg One of the most anticipated weights features a collision of high school prodigies. U17 World Champions Marcus Blaze (Penn State commit) and Bo Bassett (Iowa commit) are both entered at 65 kg. With U20 World bronze medals to their names, their matchup could signal the start of a long rivalry at the senior level.
2. Amit Elor Eyes Another Crown After capturing Olympic gold at 68 kg, Amit Elor moves up to 72 kg for the Trials. With age-group world titles at nearly every level, Elor is the overwhelming favorite in her bracket. Her dominance could continue to reshape the narrative around women’s wrestling in the U.S.
3. Final X Matchups Already Set in Select Weights. Certain divisions have pre-seeded Final X matches due to earlier qualifications. At 57 kg, Spencer Lee is scheduled to meet Luke Lilledahl, while 61 kg will feature Vito Arujau against Jax Forrest. These wrestlers have already earned Final X spots and will not be competing in Louisville.
What’s at Stake
The Trials serve as a pathway to Final X—where the best-of-three series will determine who dons the red, white, and blue in Zagreb. With the Olympics in the rearview mirror, 2025 provides a new chapter for returning medalists, young prospects, and hungry contenders looking to establish themselves internationally.
How to Watch
FloWrestling will stream the entire event live, available to subscribers via the FloSports app and website. Coverage includes live matches, replays, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.
Looking Ahead: U23 and U20 Trials
Two weeks later, the U23 Nationals and U20 World Team Trials will take place from May 30 to June 1 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. This next-generation showcase will feature nearly 1,200 athletes across men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman styles.
As Louisville prepares to host the nation’s top talent, all eyes turn to the mat where the next wave of World Team members will emerge.
