In a jaw-dropping moment at Final X 2025, high school wrestling sensation PJ Duke shocked the wrestling world by pinning four-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis to earn a spot on the U.S. Senior Men’s Freestyle World Team at 70 kilograms.
At just 18 years old, Duke became the youngest U.S. men’s freestyle wrestler ever to make a senior-level world team, and he did it by taking out none other than 4x NCAA Champion and world silver medalist Yianni Diakomihalis. The Final X series delivered plenty of drama, but none more memorable than this.
PJ Duke vs. Yianni Diakomihalis: A Three-Match Thriller
The series between Duke and Diakomihalis had all the makings of a classic—and it delivered.
Match 1 looked like business as usual for Yianni. He dominated early, using slick counters and controlling the pace en route to a 10-0 tech fall win. Many fans assumed the veteran would wrap things up quickly.
But Duke wasn’t done.
In Match 2, he turned up the pressure and forced a high-scoring firefight. With explosive attacks and nonstop offense, Duke stunned the Newark crowd by pulling off a 17-10 decision to even the series.
Then came Match 3, and the moment that will live in wrestling history. Midway through the first period, Duke countered a shot, locked up a cradle, and pinned Diakomihalis at 4:07. Just like that, a teenager had taken down one of the sport’s giants and claimed his place on Team USA.
A New Era for American Freestyle Wrestling
Duke’s win at Final X wasn’t just an upset—it was a statement.
He has long been regarded as a prodigy, racking up national titles and making world teams at the youth level. But few expected him to break through at the senior level this early, especially against an opponent like Yianni, who has been a Final X fixture for years.
With this victory, Duke doesn’t just make history—he shifts the narrative. He’s not the future anymore. He’s the now.
And he’s just getting started.
What’s Next for PJ Duke?
Duke will now represent the United States at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships, set for September in Belgrade, Serbia. He’ll join a powerhouse men’s freestyle lineup that includes names like Kyle Snyder, Spencer Lee, Zahid Valencia, David Carr, and Levi Haines.
For Duke, the focus now shifts from proving he belongs to proving he can win on the world stage. And if Final X was any indication, he’s ready for that challenge.
Final Thoughts
In a year already full of surprises, PJ Duke’s pin over Yianni Diakomihalis may go down as the defining moment of the 2025 Final X series. For fans of USA Wrestling, it’s a glimpse into a bright future. For Duke, it’s a dream realized, and possibly the beginning of something even bigger.
Keep an eye on this kid. He’s not just part of the next generation of American wrestling. He’s leading it.
