Zahid Valencia wins gold at the 2025 Zagreb Open Ranking Event in Zagreb, Croatia.

Athlete of Week

Zahid Valencia named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

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by Savannah Asmann, USA Wrestling

Zahid Valencia (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on February 12, 2025.

At the 2025 Zagreb Open Ranking Event in Zagreb, Croatia, Valencia went 4-0 en route to a gold medal finish at 86 kg. Valencia recorded wins over Matthew Finesilver of Israel, 2024 U20 World bronze medalist Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei of Iran and American Nate Jackson to advance to the gold medal match.

Valencia, a 2023 Senior World bronze medalist, shut out 2024 U23 World silver medalist Arseni Dzhioev of Azerbaijan in the gold medal match, 8-0. Valencia dominated on his feet, pushing the pace the whole match. He scored two takedowns in the first period and two takedowns in the second period.

86 kg – Zahid Valencia (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC), in gold medal match

WIN Matthew Finesilver (Israel), 10-0

WIN Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei (Iran), 5-2

WIN Nate Jackson (USA), 12-2

 WIN Arsenii Dzhioev (Azerbaijan), 8-0

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

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