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In the Senior World Freestyle Wrestling Championship, the final was between a veteran and a Cornell University senior who had just landed his first NCAA title. Moreover, for the Cornell wrestling pro, that was his first appearance at the World Championship. So in the grueling title contest, he had to wrestle with Abasgadzhi Magomedov. In 2021, Magomedov had claimed the same 61-kg category world title. So it had felt like a cakewalk for him when a newcomer was in front of him. But in reality, the 24-year-old wrestling phenom had something different in his mind. He had grabbed the title with a 10-9 scoreline at last. 

That was Vito Arujau for the wrestling world, taking his big chances in front of mountain-like challenges. Last Saturday afternoon came out as the new witness to that prowess. 

Vito Arujau evaporates wrestling challenges 

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The January 27 Saturday was the first day of the Cornell Wrestling pack to uncap their Ivy League title journey this season. The 61-kg category already had its own story as the regular contender Vito Arujau wasn’t regular from earlier this season. However, HC Mike Grey had his trust in the Cornell senior-year wrestler. Riding on that, Vito made entry to the final squad. The result was a perfect comeback. Echoing that mood, the NCAA Wrestling X-handle posted a snippet of the match with the caption, “He’s back!” The freestyle wrestling world champion couldn’t agree more and touted, “Feels good to be back!!”

Saturday gave testimony to that statement as Arujau had two victories on his comeback day. Though his last fight was on December 18 last year, the former wrestling captain didn’t have to struggle to defeat the college phenoms. He humbled Coleman Nogle with a major decision on his side. In the second bout, Hunter Adrian was defeated by him by a technical fall. That was what his coach expected from him before going to the league. 

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The expectation pays off nicely 

Vito Arujau had fought his last match before coming to the Ivy League opener on December 18 in National Collegiate Wrestling Duals. Since then, he had spent the next five matches on the bench. Even a chance of shifting him to the 125 category had made it into the discussion. But Mike Grey had trashed those discussions and confirmed that 133-category would be Vito’s best chance. “He is absolutely going to be a big jolt for us.” was Grey’s take on the situation. 

Read more: Watch: 10YO Vito Arujau Shows Unrelenting Ambitions as He Vows to Surpass His Legendary Wrestling Father

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So, his expectations came to fruition as the NCAA champion had his own way of returning to the winning days. The next wrestling match for Cornell is set against Missouri on Sunday. The pack will surely turn up with the color of being favorite. 

Watch this story: I Can Wrestle With Anybody Anytime: The Unranked Purdue Wrestler Proved His Boast