St. Charles Native, Luke Lilledahl, Wins U20 World Gold to Cap Monumental Day for U.S. Men’s Freestyle

PONTEVEDRA, Spain — Luke Lilledahl continues to shine on the global stage, capturing his second age-group World title in a stellar performance at the U20 World Championships. On a historic day for U.S. men’s freestyle wrestling, Lilledahl’s gold highlighted a successful outing, with five Americans securing medals and five more battling for a spot on the podium at Pontevedra Municipal Sports Hall.

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For the second consecutive year, Lilledahl found himself in a rematch with Lev Pavlov, an individual neutral athlete, in the U20 World Championships. Just like last year, Lilledahl emerged victorious, showcasing his grit and tactical prowess in a closely contested 57 kg final. The match, decided solely by shot clock points, saw Lilledahl lead 1-0 at the break. Pavlov tied it up early in the second, but Lilledahl’s relentless pressure forced Pavlov back on the shot clock, securing the match 2-1.

Lilledahl’s journey to gold in Spain was anything but easy, as he faced and defeated some of the toughest competitors from around the world. His path included wins over three continental medalists, including reigning U20 Asian champion Ankush Ankush of India, and Pavlov, the reigning U20 European champion. Lilledahl’s consistency on the international stage is remarkable, having reached four consecutive age-group World finals for Team USA. With gold and silver medals at both the U17 and U20 levels, he continues to cement his status as a rising star in freestyle wrestling.

Men’s Freestyle Results – Final Standings (Group One)

57 kg

  • Gold – Luke Lilledahl (United States)
  • Silver – Lev Pavlov (Individual Neutral Athlete)
  • Bronze – Luka Gvinjilia (Georgia)
  • Bronze – Ankush Ankush (India)
  • 5th – Myktybek Ukimetuly (Kazakhstan)
  • 5th – Hayko Gasparyan (Armenia)
  • 7th – Caio Duarte Aron (Brazil)
  • 8th – Milad Valizadeh (Iran)
  • 9th – Leon Fernandes Zinser (Germany)
  • 10th – Bashir Verdiyev (Azerbaijan)

Gold Medal Match:
Luke Lilledahl (United States) dec. Lev Pavlov (Individual Neutral Athlete), 2-1

Men’s Freestyle Results 

Team Standings 
  1. United States, 175
  2. Iran, 160
  3. Japan, 95
  4. Kazakhstan, 86
  5. Azerbaijan, 72
  6. India, 64
  7. Turkey, 62
  8. Georgia, 53
  9. Mongolia, 31
  10. Armenia, 30
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Missouri Roots and a Bright Future

A St. Charles, Missouri native, Lilledahl’s wrestling journey began with an impressive state championship for CBC in his freshman year under head coach Cornell Robinson. Robinson later continued to coach Lilledahl at Wyoming Seminary, where Luke compiled an extraordinary 68-3 record over three years. His dominance at Sem further established him as one of the top prep wrestlers in the nation.

Lilledahl’s exceptional accomplishments earned him the prestigious Junior Hodge Trophy, an award presented by Win Magazine to the nation’s top high school wrestler. Named in honor of the legendary Dan Hodge, a three-time NCAA champion, the Junior Hodge Trophy solidified Lilledahl’s place among the elite.

In addition to his international success, Lilledahl is now a freshman at Penn State University, competing under head coach Cael Sanderson. He is part of an outstanding recruiting class that includes top-10 wrestlers like Joe Sealey, Zack Ryder, and Connor Mirasola. Lilledahl is expected to wrestle at 125 pounds for the Nittany Lions, adding to their tradition of dominance.

Before arriving at Penn State, Lilledahl’s high school career was nothing short of legendary. In 2023, he won the Super 32 meet, captured the Walsh Jesuit Ironman title by defeating Jax Forrest, and capped off his season by winning the National Prep Championship.

As he steps into the collegiate wrestling spotlight, Luke Lilledahl’s future looks incredibly bright. His success on the international stage and consistent dominance in prep wrestling make him a name to watch as he embarks on his career at Penn State.

For Missouri wrestling fans, Lilledahl’s journey from a state champion to a world champion is a testament to his relentless work ethic, talent, and passion for the sport. His achievements on the mat serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Missouri wrestlers, proving that with dedication and determination, global success is within reach.

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