Waking up this morning beyond appreciative of all of the people in my corner. This is just another step in the journey, but I want to take a minute to thank everyone whos helped me get to this point. The best is yet to come.
— Yianni Diakomihalis (@yiannidiako_LGR) September 13, 2021
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell junior Yianni Diakomihalis earned a spot on the men's senior freestyle national team for the first time by capturing the 65kg title on Sunday evening at the Senior World Team Trials in Lincoln, Neb. Diakomihalis will represent USA Wrestling in Oslo, Norway at the World Championships from Oct. 2-10.
After dropping a late decision in the first bout to McKenna by an 8-7 score, Diakomihalis earned a 5-2 win before a 12-2 tech fall in the third and deciding match. He was the lone men's freestyler to erase a 1-0 deficit to earn a spot on the world team. Additionally, Diakomihalis is the lone newcomer to Team USA from the men's freestyle competition.
Wrestling in a bracket with just five opponents, Diakomihalis only needed one win in the quarterfinals to advance to the best-of-3 finals series. Diakomihalis defeated Luke Pletcher by tech fall, 10-0, on Saturday to punch his ticket to the finals.
Diakomihalis joins Kyle Dake '13 in a chase for a world championship. Dake earned the U.S. spot at 79kg thanks to his status as an Olympic medalist. In addition, volunteer assistant coach Nick Gwiazdowski made his fourth national team after sweeping Mason Parris in the best-of-three series at 125kg by scores of 6-0 and 10-3.