Don’t try to get too philosophical with Braxton Amos about his decision to compete in both styles at the Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia on August 16-22. Amos has a reputation for wrestling in Greco-Roman and freestyle at major domestic competitions. Just don’t ask him to get too deep about it. 

His most recent foray led to double age-level 97-kilograms World teams after blitzing everyone at UWW Junior Nationals in Coralville. His destruction of both brackets borders on the absurd. 

In Greco, only one match of five lasted more than a minute — and that went 1:11. He won every bout by technical superiority and didn’t surrender a point. 

In freestyle, he won all five matches by technical superiority and gave up four points. That came when Christian Carroll went feet-to-back off a front headlock in the second bout of their best-of-three series. 

Amos wrestled as a man possessed afterward — dragging Carroll back to the center following a reversal. He eventually won, 14-4. 

Before that, he wrestled both styles at the final Olympic Trials, reaching the best-of-three finals in Greco. 

“Every World Team Trials I’ve been to I’ve done both with the exception of 2019,” Amos said. “It’s one of those things. I’m already decently proficient in both. It’s twice the chances to make a World team, which is tough enough as it is. I might as well double my odds. 

"I’m already over (in Ufa). I’m already the guy for both styles. I might as well represent the U.S. in both while I’m at it.”

Despite all his Greco and freestyle success, Amos hasn’t competed in a college match — yet. He trains at the Wisconsin Regional Training Center and will be a freshman for the Badgers for the 2021-22 season.

Wisconsin associate head coach Jon Reader says Amos has taken a leadership role within the program even though he is still a teenager.

“He’s one of the best I’ve ever been around,” Reader said. “He’s one of those kids that when he walks in a room, everyone gravitates toward him. He’s that shining, bright light of energy and positivity and someone we want to build the program around. He’s someone that represents the university and this program at a really, really high level.

“He’s everything we ever wanted in a recruit. He’s so much more than what he is on the mat. It’s how he carries himself around our entire team, our entire administration, our whole university. This kid is the real deal off the mat as well. He’s a specimen on the mat but off the mat, he’s a phenomenal kid that gives back to the community.”

Training for three different styles brings a unique set of challenges, all of which Amos and the coaching staff embraces. In fact, they are grateful for the opportunity to compete at the Junior Worlds in advance of the college season. 

Badger head coach Chris Bono and Reader are willing to outsource training, too. They’ve brought in Greco specialists like Lucas Steldt — an age-level World team coach and 2018 USA Wrestling developmental coach of the year — to work with Amos in different positions. 

“It's kind of tough because you have to split practice times and everything else,” Amos said. “Some days you work Greco and some days you work freestyle and kind of make due.

“Because of our training and because of the way I wrestle it transitions well. One match I was going freestyle and in the next match, I was going Greco. In our third match, I went one period of freestyle and one period of Greco. We’ve been training for me to transition seamlessly as far as being over there and getting switched over to Greco.”

Reader says Amos is wrestling at an all-time high, which should be fun for domestic wrestling fans. On the men’s side, he’s the most compelling wrestler to watch. His aggressive and fast-paced style will make him a fan favorite for years to come.

Doubling up isn’t easy, but don’t be surprised if Amos bags a medal — or two — in Russia. Just don’t expect him to overthink a straightforward process. 

“Listen, this is an opportunity to represent the country,” Amos said. “I’ll take the chance to represent my country whenever I can."

Watch the Junior World Championships LIVE on FloWrestling August 16-22.