The USA has cemented its status among wrestling’s elite with consistently strong performances at major international tournaments. Finishing just behind Japan and Iran at the Paris Olympics 2024 and World Championships 2025 in the overall medal table, the USA showed why it’s a force in freestyle wrestling.
Recently, the top U.S. freestyle wrestlers Kennedy Blades, Trent Hidlay, Kylie Welker, and Greco-Roman wrestler Robert Smith were honored at The Links Club in NYC. Blades, Hidlay, and Welker were recognized for their Worlds performances, while Smith was honored after an opponent’s anti-doping violation retroactively awarded him the 130 kg Greco-Roman bronze from the Senior Worlds 2015.
What Did Kennedy Blades, Trent Hidlay and More Win in Monetary Recognition?
All four wrestlers, Blades, Hidlay, Welker, and Smith, each received $15,000 for their performances from the Living the Dream Medal Fund. The USA Wrestling Foundation shared the update on Instagram, thanking the fund’s stewards for supporting athletes in their training and goals, and encouraging people to get involved through USA Wrestling.
Blades wore a printed black-and-brown strapless dress on the occasion, while Welker opted for a black look. Hidlay, who achieved both the 2025 World and Pan American titles, and Smith kept it classic in suits.
For Blades, the moment carried added meaning. Just months earlier, after earning her first World Championships medal with a silver finish, she had reflected on what made her Senior Worlds debut unforgettable in an Instagram post.
She shared that the biggest lesson wasn’t about technique, but about realizing wrestling isn’t a solo grind, rather a team-driven journey. She closed her reflection by grounding it in her faith, ending with a powerful Bible verse.
Most USA wrestlers are currently in their off-season, with the next major events coming next year, starting with the Ranking Series, where the top stars are expected to return to action.
Blades Reacts to Kylie Welker Reflecting on Her Freestyle Transition
Welker, who was also honored at the ceremony, recently shared insights into her freestyle wrestling journey. She began in first grade for fun, exploring moves not allowed in folkstyle. By middle school, she recognized the greater opportunities freestyle offered, and by high school, she fully committed to the goal of making the World Championships team.
Reflecting on this transition via an Instagram post, which she described as ‘challenging’ at first, Welker wrote: “Once I reached middle school, everything shifted. I began taking freestyle seriously because I realized the opportunities it could open, like traveling the world to compete and testing myself against the best.”
“The transition from folkstyle to freestyle was definitely challenging at first, but I reminded myself that a lot of the skills translate. Once I trusted that, the adjustment became easier. By the time I got to high school, I fully committed to freestyle and focused on my goals of making World and Olympic teams,” the two-time World Championships bronze medalist opened up on the journey that shaped her into the athlete she is today.
Blades and teammate Alexandria Glaudé, among others, reacted to the post. The Paris Olympics 76kg women’s wrestling silver medalist left a comment saying, “AMERICA RAHHHH 🦅🦅🦅🦅,” while Glaudé added, “Ahhhhh love these 😍😍,” showing her admiration for Welker’s journey.
