Vito Arujau, a 2024 world bronze medalist and reigning force at 61kg, has built a legacy not just on dominance but on resilience. After capturing gold at the 2023 World Championships and bronze in Tirana last year. The 25-year-old has firmly established himself as Team USA’s premier contender in his weight class. Following his podium finish at the 2024 Senior World Championships, Arujau secured an automatic berth to Final X. One final hurdle before locking in his place at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Zagreb.

But just days before his much-anticipated showdown with rising phenom Jax Forrest. At the Prudential Center on June 14, Arujau was granted a delay. And with no confirmed new date, questions are already swirling. The delay was fully legal under USA Wrestling’s rules. Allowing 2024 Senior World or Olympic medalists to request a medical postponement has sparked debate across the wrestling community.

One voice chiming in is analyst Christian Pyles, who didn’t hold back in weighing the competitive implications. With a World Team spot hanging in the balance, the question now is, does a medical delay for one star unfairly shift? FloWrestling took to X, highlighting, “Vito Arujau was granted a delay for his Final X wrestle-off with Jax Forrest. Should this be allowed?”

It’s a question that has sparked heated discussion across the wrestling world, especially given the stakes. Wrestling analyst Christian Pyles weighed in, offering a nuanced take: “I mean, a lot of conversation any time this happens, but it is part of the process. It’s something only afforded to returning medalists.” And indeed, Arujau’s delay falls squarely within USA Wrestling’s approved protocol.

The 2025 World Team Trials procedures allow for a delay only if a returning World or Olympic medalist provides documented medical proof, which Arujau did. Submitting both a written certification from a USAW-approved physician and his request at least 48 hours before the scheduled weigh-in. Still, that doesn’t mean the system isn’t up for debate.

As Pyles continued, “The process should not be to make sure the medalist makes the team, right? Those are two different things.” While the rules are followed to the letter, the spirit of competition and fairness is upheld. Especially for a young star like Jax Forrest, it remains a valid concern. “I agree with the Final X sit-out, that you should get that if you’re a returning medalist,” Pyles clarified.

“Where I get a little bit, oh, is this really what we want to do? … When you allow a delay like this, are we trying to get the best guy or are we trying to get the medalist on the team?” It’s that gray area between giving champions a deserved advantage and preserving an equal playing field that has fans and analysts alike divided. As of now, there is no scheduled date, time, or venue for the postponed Arujau vs. Forrest clash.

If both athletes can’t agree on a new timeline, the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee will decide. Meanwhile, Final X will go on as planned in Newark on June 14, now featuring nine men’s and ten women’s freestyle weight classes. The event will again serve as the centerpiece of the Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit. Raising over $1 million to empower underserved youth through wrestling.

Arujau vs. Forrest leaves a key final X match in limbo

Vito Arujau followed every protocol to secure a medical delay for his Final X wrestle-off against teenage standout Jax Forrest. As per USA Wrestling’s guidelines, “the request for delay must occur at least 48 hours before the scheduled weigh-in time.” Arujau’s formal request was submitted in writing and backed by a certified medical statement from a USA Wrestling-approved doctor, fulfilling all the criteria laid out by the governing body.

The move, while well within the rules, has postponed what many considered one of the marquee matchups of Final X. Currently, no date, time, or venue has been confirmed for their rescheduled Final X series. The rules state that “the national coach and athletes involved shall determine the date, time, and place for the final wrestle-off. If consensus cannot be reached, the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee shall make this determination.”

Arujau, a 2023 world champion and 2024 world bronze medalist, officially accepted his Final X spot back in April. His international résumé is stacked: two-time age-group world silver medalist and two-time senior Pan American champion. Forrest, on the other hand, burst into the spotlight with a win at the U.S. Open and carries a 2022 U17 World silver medal to his name. All while still in high school.

Due to the delay at 61 kg, Final X Newark will now feature nine men’s freestyle bouts. And ten in women’s freestyle. The event, hosted at the Prudential Center on June 14, doubles as the 15th annual Beat the Streets New York Benefit. An evening that consistently raises over $1 million to support youth wrestling initiatives across NYC.

Yet while the crowd roars for the rest of the card, one showdown will be missing: a red-hot prodigy ready for his moment. And a decorated champion still healing, his comeback moment paused but not forgotten.