Adaugo Nwachukwu is named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

SPC Adaugo Nwachukwu (Fort Carson, Colo./U.S. Army WCAP) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on November 27, 2024.

Representing the U.S. Armed Forces team, Nwachukwu won a gold medal in women’s freestyle at 62 kg at the 37^th CISM World Military Wrestling Championships in Yerevan, Armenia on November 21.

Nwachukwu won all four of her matches in a five-athlete round robin. She opened up with a 2-1 decision over eventual silver medalist Ameline Douarre of France. In her second bout, she pinned Annatina Lippuner of Switzerland, who went on to win the bronze medal. Her final two matches were shut out victories over Amina Capezan of Romania, 8-0 and Tuliya Pisarenka of Belarus, 6-0.

Nwachukwu was among four U.S. women to win a medal in the competition, leading the United States to second in the team standings with 109 points, behind only team champion Mongolia with 142 points.

She has competed on four past U.S. age-group World Teams and won a bronze medal at the 2022 U20 World Championships. Prior to joining the U.S. Army WCAP program, Nwachukwu was a three-time NAIA champion, winning two titles for Iowa Wesleyan, and one for William Penn. She was named 2024 USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year from a vote of fans, coaches and media.

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