KYLE DAKE
Wrestling fans around the world know Kyle Dake as one of the most dominant and accomplished wrestlers in recent history. From winning NCAA championships at four different weight classes to earning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, explore his journey from high school prodigy to international superstar.
Quick Facts
Career Highlights
High School (2x State Champion)
212-3 record at Lansing High School. Two-time New York state champion. Named nation's top high school wrestler. Won Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.
NCAA Championships (4 Titles)
Only the third wrestler in history to win 4 NCAA Division I titles. Hodge Trophy winner. 137-4 college record at four different weight classes.
International Success
2x Olympic Bronze (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024). 3x World Champion (2018, 2019, 2021). First American to repeat Olympic medals since Kenny Monday (1992).
Born in Ithaca, New York
Kyle Dake was born on February 25, 1991, in Ithaca, New York. He was raised in nearby Lansing, New York, where he grew up in a strong family wrestling background.
Lansing High School
Attended Lansing High School in Lansing, New York, where he became a two-time New York state champion and compiled an impressive career record of 212-3.
Cornell University
Enrolled at Cornell University, initially pursuing a degree in accounting while competing on the wrestling team.
First NCAA Championship
Won his first NCAA title at 141 lbs, defeating Matt McDonough 5-4. The beginning of an unprecedented journey.
Second NCAA Championship
Moved up to 149 lbs and went undefeated (36-0), winning his second NCAA title. Named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Third NCAA Championship
Continued making history at 157 lbs, defeating David Taylor 5-4 for his third title at a third different weight class.
Fourth NCAA Championship
Made history at 165 lbs, becoming the ONLY wrestler ever to win NCAA titles at four different weight classes.
World Championship Bronze
Earned his first World Championship medal with a bronze at 79 kg in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
Olympic Bronze Medal - Tokyo
Achieved his Olympic dream by winning bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) at 74 kg.
World Championship Gold
Won gold medal at World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, continuing his international dominance.
Second Olympic Bronze - Paris
Made history by winning his second Olympic bronze medal, defeating Hetik Cabolov of Serbia 10-4. First American to win back-to-back Olympic wrestling medals since 1992.
Kyle's Story
Early Life & High School
Born in Ithaca and raised in nearby Lansing, New York, Kyle Dake grew up in a strong family wrestling background. His passion for the sport developed early, and he quickly showed exceptional talent on the mat.
During his high school career at Lansing High School, Kyle became a two-time New York state champion and compiled an impressive 212-3 record, establishing himself as one of the top young wrestlers in the nation and setting the stage for his historic college career at nearby Cornell University.
Behind the Scenes - First Day of Practice
Cornell University
Kyle's college career at Cornell was nothing short of legendary. From 2010 to 2013, he accomplished what no wrestler had ever done before—winning NCAA championships at four different weight classes.
His 137-4 college record speaks to his dominance, but it was his ability to move up in weight and continue winning that truly set him apart. Each year brought a new challenge, and each year Kyle rose to meet it.
View Complete College ResultsWrestling's Impact on Kyle
Wrestling shaped Kyle Dake into the champion he is today—teaching him discipline, perseverance, and toughness that extends far beyond the mat.
The sport's demands—rigorous training, weight management, strategic preparation, and balancing academics—created a foundation for success in all areas of life.
Kyle's relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence have made him one of the most respected wrestlers in the sport's history, inspiring the next generation of champions.
Wrestling's Impact on Kyle
Olympic Dream Realized - Twice
After his historic college career, Kyle set his sights on the Olympics. In 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, he won his first Olympic bronze medal at 74 kg.
Three years later at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kyle made history again. On August 10, 2024, he secured his second consecutive Olympic bronze medal with a dramatic 10-4 victory over Hetik Cabolov of Serbia, rallying from a 4-1 deficit in the final 40 seconds.
With this victory, Kyle became the first repeat 74kg Olympic wrestling medalist since Buvaisar Saitiev of Russia (2004, 2008), and the first American wrestler to win back-to-back Olympic medals since Kenny Monday at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Olympic Career DetailsSenior Freestyle Record
Kyle's international freestyle wrestling record showcases his dominance at the highest levels of competition— from World Championships to the Olympics.
| Result | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 120–18 | 🇸🇰 Tajmuraz Salkazanov | 3–2 | Sep 16-17, 2022 | 2022 World Championships - Gold 🥇 | 🇷🇸 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Win | 119–18 | 🇮🇷 Younes Emami | 2-2 | Sep 16, 2022 | 2022 World Championships | 🇷🇸 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Win | 118–18 | 🇮🇳 Sagar Jaglan | Fall | Sep 15, 2022 | 2022 World Championships | 🇷🇸 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Win | 117–18 | 🇲🇳 Suldkhuu Olonbayar | TF 12-2 | Sep 15, 2022 | 2022 World Championships | 🇷🇸 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Win | 116–18 | 🇰🇬 Islambek Orozbekov | TF 10-0 | Sep 15, 2022 | 2022 World Championships | 🇷🇸 Belgrade, Serbia |
| Win | 115–18 | 🇺🇸 Jason Nolf | 2-1 | Jun 8, 2022 | 2022 Final X NYC - Gold 🥇 | 🇺🇸 New York City, NY |
| Win | 114–18 | 🇺🇸 Jason Nolf | 4–2 | Jun 8, 2022 | 2022 Final X NYC | 🇺🇸 New York City, NY |
| Win | 110–18 | 🇸🇰 Tajmuraz Salkazanov | 7–3 | Oct 3, 2021 | 2021 World Championships - Gold 🥇 | 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway |
| Win | 109–18 | 🇧🇾 Azamat Nurykau | 9–1 | Oct 2, 2021 | 2021 World Championships | 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway |
| Win | 108–18 | 🇹🇷 Fazlı Eryılmaz | 5–0 | Oct 2, 2021 | 2021 World Championships | 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway |
| Win | 107–18 | 🇲🇩 Vasile Diacon | TF 11–0 | Oct 2, 2021 | 2021 World Championships | 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway |
| Win | 106–18 | 🇮🇹 Frank Chamizo | 5–0 | Aug 6, 2021 | 2020 Olympics - Bronze 🥉 | 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan |
| Win | 105–18 | 🇨🇺 Geandry Garzón | TF 10–0 | Aug 5, 2021 | 2020 Olympics | 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan |
| Loss | 104–18 | 🇧🇾 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov | TF 0–11 | Aug 5, 2021 | 2020 Olympics | 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan |
| Win | 104–17 | 🇮🇷 Mostafa Hosseinkhani | 4–0 | Aug 5, 2021 | 2020 Olympics | 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan |
| Win | 99–17 | 🇺🇸 Jordan Burroughs | 3–2 | Apr 3, 2021 | 2020 Olympic Trials - Gold 🥇 | 🇺🇸 Fort Worth, TX |
| Win | 98–17 | 🇺🇸 Jordan Burroughs | 3–0 | Apr 3, 2021 | 2020 Olympic Trials | 🇺🇸 Fort Worth, TX |
| Win | 97–17 | 🇺🇸 Jason Nolf | TF 11–0 | Apr 2, 2021 | 2020 Olympic Trials | 🇺🇸 Fort Worth, TX |
| Win | 84–17 | 🇦🇿 Jabrayil Hasanov | 4–2 | Sep 14-22, 2019 | 2019 World Championships - Gold 🥇 | 🇰🇿 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan |
| Win | 83–17 | 🇺🇿 Rashid Kurbanov | 6–1 | Sep 20, 2019 | 2019 World Championships | 🇰🇿 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan |
| Win | 82–17 | 🇷🇺 Gadzhi Nabiev | 5–1 | Sep 19, 2019 | 2019 World Championships | 🇰🇿 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan |
| Win | 81–17 | 🇰🇬 Oibek Nasirov | TF 12–2 | Sep 19, 2019 | 2019 World Championships | 🇰🇿 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan |
| Win | 73–17 | 🇦🇿 Jabrayil Hasanov | 2–0 | Oct 20-28, 2018 | 2018 World Championships - Gold 🥇 | 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 72–17 | 🇷🇺 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov | TF 13–0 | Oct 27, 2018 | 2018 World Championships | 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 71–17 | 🇬🇪 Davit Khutsishvili | TF 11–0 | Oct 26, 2018 | 2018 World Championships | 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary |
| Win | 70–17 | 🇩🇪 Martin Obst | TF 11–0 | Oct 25, 2018 | 2018 World Championships | 🇩🇪 Germany |
Training and Technique
One of the keys to Kyle Dake's success on the wrestling mat is his training regimen and technique. He is known for his relentless work ethic and dedication to the sport, putting in long hours in the gym and on the mat.
His training includes multiple daily practices, intensive strength and conditioning work, technical drilling, and constant refinement of his wrestling techniques. Kyle's ability to adapt his style across multiple weight classes demonstrates his versatile skill set and wrestling IQ.
His disciplined approach to preparation and competition strategy has been crucial to his success at the highest levels of international wrestling, earning him victories over the world's best competitors.
Legacy and Impact
Kyle Dake's legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time is already secure. His numerous titles, awards, and records speak for themselves, and his impact on the sport of wrestling cannot be overstated.
He has inspired countless young wrestlers to follow in his footsteps, and his dedication to the sport serves as a shining example for others to emulate. From his high school dominance to his unprecedented college career and continued international success, Kyle has consistently performed at the highest level.
As Kyle continues to compete and inspire the next generation of wrestlers, there is no doubt that his legacy will endure for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wrestling weight class does Kyle Dake compete in?
Kyle Dake currently competes in the 74kg (163 lbs) weight class in freestyle wrestling.
Has Kyle Dake ever lost a match?
Yes, Kyle Dake has lost several matches throughout his wrestling career. However, he is known for his impressive winning record and dominant performances on the mat. His current freestyle record stands at 120-18.
What other sports did Kyle Dake play before focusing on wrestling?
Kyle Dake also played baseball and ran track before ultimately deciding to focus on wrestling, where his family heritage and natural talent led him to become one of the sport's all-time greats.
How many World Championships has Kyle Dake won?
Kyle Dake is a three-time World Champion, winning gold medals in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He was the first American wrestler to win a world title in a non-Olympic weight class in 2018.
Watch Kyle's Complete Story
Experience the full journey in the documentary Four for Four
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY