Taina Fernandez named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

Taina Fernandez (Bowie, Md./Cavalier WC) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on August 28, 2024.

Fernandez had a stellar performance at the U17 World Championships last week in Amman, Jordan. She claimed the gold medal at 61 kg in dominant fashion, earning one technical fall victory and three wins by fall, including in the gold medal match.

In the finals, Fernandez faced Sae Noguchi of Japan. Fernandez got on the scoreboard first when Noguchi was put on the activity clock but couldn’t score. Leading 1-0 after the first period, Fernandez added a point with a step out and followed it up with a takedown, extending her lead to 4-0. At 3:23, she secured a pin, clinching the gold medal in her first trip to a World Championship tournament.

Throughout the tournament, Fernandez didn’t allow a single point, outscoring her opponents 28-0 before securing pins in three matches. Her victories included a tech fall against Ozdenur Ozmez of Turkey, 11-0, a pin against Eda Balasz of Hungary at 2:43, a pin against Zhaidar Mukat of Kazakhstan at 1:35, and a pin against Sae Noguchi of Japan at 3:23.

This was Fernandez’s first trip to a World Championship tournament, and she helped the U.S. to a fifth place finish in the team race, claiming the only women’s freestyle gold of the event for Team USA.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.