When Yianni Diakomihalis walked into the U.S. Open this year, he wasn’t just showing face. He was making a statement. A man whose career has been repeatedly tested by injuries, surgeries, and time away from the mat, Yianni returned not for applause or redemption, but because deep down, he still believes he’s one of the best to ever do it. And on that mat, against a battle-tested James Green, he showed exactly why that belief still holds weight. Yianni didn’t just win . He controlled the tempo, dictated the pace, and left no doubt that the fire inside him is still burning hot.

Now with all eyes on a stacked American freestyle field, Yianni has made a major call regarding the weight class. And for once, the decision has nothing to do with chasing Olympic glory. It’s about preservation, precision, and playing to his strengths. After years of battling to keep up with heavier, more physically taxing opponents, it offers him the ideal balance between speed, agility, and tactical dominance. Yianni isn’t running from a challenge. He’s choosing the battlefield where he’s deadliest. This move feels less like a pivot and more like a power play.

Justin Basch took to X highlighting, “70kg is the right weight for @YianniD_LGR. Now, he’s just 2 wins at Final X away from making another World Team.” And Basch isn’t the only one echoing that sentiment. Yianni’s own words back it up with conviction. While many assumed dropping weight would leave him drained, he’s experiencing the opposite . “I’m not getting overpowered. I actually do feel stronger than a lot of the guys out there,” Yianni said, reinforcing that this shift isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about playing it smart. He’s no longer burning energy chasing the scale. He’s building it, repurposing his intensity into every rep, every session, and most importantly, every match. What makes this version of Yianni different maybe even more dangerous is how well he understands his own body now.

He isn’t chasing ghosts of past weight cuts or fearing burnout. “I was able to train really, really hard… when you’re not cutting a lot of weight… it’s like, whatever. You’re eight over. No problem,” he explained. That’s a window into the preparation of a guy who’s not just aiming to win but to dominate. Yianni’s return to a more natural weight has allowed him to train like his younger self. Focused, free, and fueled. The grind is no longer a burden; it’s his rhythm. That clarity is what gave him the edge against James Green. A seasoned veteran and one of the sport’s most decorated competitors. Yianni’s final-period outburst in their match wasn’t magic. It was a product of precise preparation, a body that can go deep into matches, and a mind laser-focused on the endgame.

But it’s not just physical fuel that’s driving him. There’s an emotional sharpness to Yianni now. A desire not just to win, but to exhaust every ounce of himself to do it. “One thing I’ve talked about with my dad a lot… I want to come off the mat really tired… because when you’re in good shape and you’re coming off really tired, the other guy is going to be done.” And that’s the version of Yianni heading into Final X. Calculated and ready to outlast even the hungriest challengers. His matchup with PJ Duke is more than just a clash between a seasoned medalist and a teenage phenom. It’s a generational litmus test.

Yianni Diakomihalis prepares for his most personal battle yet

In a clip shared by Justin Basch on X, Yianni Diakomihalis gave fans a rare glimpse into the personal side of his upcoming Final X clash with rising star P.J. Duke. This isn’t just another matchup. It’s layered with years of shared history. Yianni recalled the first time he saw Duke compete, back when the young prodigy was just seven years old at the New York State Tournament. “I remember when P.J was like, seven… he wrestled for this kid’s club… they used to be called Iowa Style,” Yianni shared. That memory, complete with little headgear and wide-eyed determination, now stands in sharp contrast to the elite-level bout they’re about to share. There’s even a familial thread between them. “He was close to my younger brother, Elijah,” Yianni noted, adding even more emotional depth to the duel.

Yet sentiment doesn’t dull his focus. It sharpens it. Diakomihalis respects Duke’s skill, especially his upper-body control and unconventional tactics. “He’s got a good, like, two on one underhook, seatbelt, kind of series,” Yianni said, clearly aware of the physical and technical challenges that lie ahead. But he’s not walking into this matchup on nostalgia. He’s preparing with surgical precision, emphasizing the need for discipline and smart shot selection. “With him… it’s good shot selection and just being really disciplined,” Yianni explained. It’s not just about defending his position. It’s about neutralizing Duke’s unique arsenal while asserting his own game plan, all while the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Of course, this matchup also comes on the heels of Yianni’s ninth surgery in 7.5 years, a fact he addressed with his trademark wit. “Pretty soon, I’m going to run out of body parts to hurt, and then you’re all in big trouble.” That blend of resilience and humor defines him. And as Final X looms, the emotional weight of wrestling someone he’s watched grow up won’t distract him from the goal. Sentiment can wait. For now, it’s two competitors with intersecting pasts and clashing futures and only one gets to walk away with a World Team spot.