Rudy James at the 2024 Veterans World Championships in Porec, Croatia.

Athlete of Week

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

Share:

by Savannah Asmann, USA Wrestling

Rudy James (St. Paul, Minn.) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on October 17, 2024.

At the 2024 Veterans World Championships, James competed in Division C for athletes aged 46-to-50. James, hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, brought home the 78 kg title in Division C freestyle. His perfect 4-0 record included a decisive victory by pin in the championship match against San Diego’s Shad Olvera. The win allowed him to defend his World title in the same weight class and division from the previous year.

In Greco-Roman, James secured a silver medal, adding to his total in Croatia. This was his second medal of the week. James demonstrated his dominance with shutout victories over Individual Neutral Athlete’s Stanislav Pechurin and Andrei Borisov. However, in the finals, he fell to Sweden’s Jimmy Samuelsson by technical fall, 11-0.

James’ medal efforts contributed significantly to the team’s third-place finish in the overall standings in freestyle.

Since 2010, Rudy James has earned an impressive collection of titles: two National titles in Greco-Roman, six in freestyle, and nine in folkstyle.

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

Join The Fight

The Airmen who make up Air Force Special Warfare are part of the most highly trained warriors on the planet. A job for the mentally tough and physically strong, these elite heroes go anywhere in the world to bring unique skills and fearless commitment – whatever the mission requires. Only the best of the best are chosen and they embody their mottos: Any Time, Any Place and These Things We Do That Others May Live!
Learn More

Read More#