The air at Final X was thick with anticipation, ready for what everyone expected to be a classic showdown. Yianni Diakomihalis, a four-time NCAA champion and world silver medalist, carried the immense weight of expectation. Across from him stood PJ Duke, an incoming Penn State freshman with an incredible 152-1 high school record, but still undeniably the underdog. The wrestling world was buzzing, yet few genuinely believed Duke could unseat such a titan. Even UFC legend Chael Sonnen, ever the outspoken one, confidently declared, “Nice, Yianni won’t be at X,” completely writing off Duke’s chances. Little did he know, he was about to witness one of the most jaw-dropping upsets in recent memory. How did a freshman, fresh out of high school, manage to defy every single expectation?

The Impossible Pin: Duke’s Moment of Truth PJ Duke, a celebrated four-time state champion from Minisink Valley High School and a bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships, faced a seemingly insurmountable gap in experience and pedigree against Diakomihalis. Yianni, with his flawless record and technical mastery, was the overwhelming favorite.

But wrestling, as we all know, thrives on those unpredictable, game-changing moments, and Duke was about to seize his. The pin that followed wasn’t just a win; it was a powerful statement. Duke’s own words later revealed the depth of his strategy and the sheer grit that fueled him: “I got into that single leg once before, and I got to that body lock where I’m really good at, and he had a really good feel from there, so it was kind of hard to finish.” The tension was electric, the stakes sky-high. So, what exactly unfolded in those critical seconds that turned the tide?

Well, Duke Recounts the Pin. The pin itself was a textbook example of flawless execution under immense pressure. Duke recounted the precise sequence: “And he felt strong there, and normally I’m able to kind of pick eyes up and finish, but for him, he has that different feel, even when I had his leg, you know, those splits.” The crowd held its breath as Duke meticulously maneuvered, every move calculated. “It’s something that’s hard to mimic when you’re training, so it’s definitely a different feel once you get there,” he admitted, acknowledging Diakomihalis’s unique challenge. But Duke wasn’t finished. “But on that second shot, once he was in his foot again, and he kind of started going whizzer a little bit, so I kind of felt him trying to trap my arm.” The intricate chess match on the mat intensified.

“And I knew I needed to get his foot off the mat, because if I’m leaving his foot down, it’s going to be impossible to score him, so keeping that foot in the air and clearing this arm.” With a crucial lift and a clear, Duke found his golden opportunity. “So I kind of lifted this leg up and tried to clear my shoulder like limp arm, and I got my arm out, and I brought his foot up at the same time, which kind of made him fall backwards, and I kind of just caught him on his back and I got the fall.” The arena erupted in cheers and shock. But the bigger question now looms: what does this seismic shift mean for the futures of these two incredible wrestlers?

High School Wrestling Phenoms Steal the Show at Final X

Final X wasn’t just for college wrestling’s biggest names; it was also a massive stage for some incredible high school talent. In one standout match, Ohio’s Marcus Blaze, wrestling for the Perrysburg Wrestling Club, secured a true third-place finish at 65 kilograms, dominating Nebraska’s Brock Hardy with an 8-2 victory.

Blaze, who’s been a top-ranked force at various weights this season (138, 144, and 150 pounds), truly showed off his versatility and skill. Hardy, an NCAA finalist this year and a three-time All-American, brought his own impressive resume, but Blaze’s strategic brilliance was undeniable. This win wasn’t just a notch in his belt; it was a clear declaration from a high schooler ready to shake up the wrestling world. But who else among the young guns shined that night?

Meanwhile, another high school standout, Jax Forrest from Pennsylvania’s Bishop McCort, who impressively won the U.S. Open in April at 61 kilograms, was slated to face off against two-time NCAA Champion and 2023 World Champion Vito Arujau of Cornell. However, Arujau requested a delay, pushing their highly anticipated clash to July 14th at Fargo during USA Wrestling’s Freestyle and Greco Roman National Championships. With such incredible young talent on display, the future of wrestling looks incredibly bright. What exciting journeys await these young warriors as they continue to climb the ranks?