Medeiros repeats, James, Hansen, VanBrill among standout champs in Masters Mens division at AFSW Folkstyle Nationals

DES MOINES, Iowa – California’s James Medeiros earned his fifth-straight and sixth overall Masters folkstyle national title, and was the only repeat champion, as the Masters Mens division concluded on Saturday evening at the 2025 Air Force Special Warfare 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals.

Medeiros went 2-0 in a three-person round robin at MidAmerican Energy Complex RecPlex, the new host venue of USA Wrestling’s premier folkstyle event, to claim the Masters C 100 kg crown. He earned a pair of two-point decisions over Eben Faler of Montana and Matthew Gallagher of Iowa to retain the top spot in his weight class.

In addition to Medeiros, five champions from 2024 returned for another go at a folkstyle national title. All five— Casper Petty of Arkansas, Christopher Myers of Indiana, Arturo Basulto of California, Nick Macellaio of Illinois and James Miller of Texas—had strong efforts but were unable to complete the repeat.

Multiple-time UWW Veterans World champion Rudy James went 3-0 in the Masters C 78 kg bracket with a technical fall and two major decisions to become tournament champion for the eighth time on record dating back to 2010. James defeated John Gillis of Wisconsin, 13-1, in the championship match.

Masters A 58-62 kg champion Nate Hansen of Iowa and Masters B 70 kg champion Mike VanBrill of New Jersey pinned every opponent faced, three apiece, during their respective title runs.

Final placements for each Masters Mens weight class can be found below. Brackets and updated match-by-match results are available through USA Bracketing.

The Air Force Special Warfare 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals concludes at 9 a.m. (CT) on Sunday with the 16U Boys and 16U Girls finals. Visit usawrestlingevents.com for a complete schedule of events for every division.

All the action from Des Moines is available to watch live or on-demand on FloWrestling.com. FloWrestling offers a monthly subscription priced at $29.99 or an annual subscription for $150 to access its platform.