Yianni Diakomihalis and Evan Henderson will wrestle at Final X presented by Tezos on June 8 for the right to represent Team USA at 65kg at the 2022 World Championships. To prepare for their upcoming showdown, check out an in-depth look at their respective freestyle careers as well as a breakdown of their head-to-head matchup. 

Yianni D. A Big Favorite

Yianni Diakomihalis has won almost every tournament he’s ever entered. Among many other accolades, he’s a 2-time cadet world champion, 3-time NCAA Champ, and the returning world team member at 65kg. To say he’s the favorite in the matchup against Evan Henderson might be an understatement. 

Going along with his accomplishments is the impressive list of high-level wrestlers Diakomihalis has defeated in his 3-year, senior-level career. Yianni burst onto the senior level in 2019 and immediately won the US Open defeating legends in successive matches - Frank Molinaro, Jordan Oliver, and Zain Retherford. Immediately after that performance, Yianni would go on to take out world and Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia during a Beat The Streets event in May of 2019. And the world-class wins haven’t stopped there. Take a look below at the incredible list of wrestlers Yianni has defeated over the past 3 years:

• Frank Molinaro - 10-3 - 2019 US Open
• Jordan Oliver - 16-5 - 2019 US Open 
• Zain Retherford - 6-4 - 2019 US Open 
• Bajrang Punia (World and Olympic medalist)  - 10-8 - 2019 BTS 
• Zain Retherford - 9-5 - 2019 Yasar Dogu
• Ali Rahimzade (U23 world silver/2X Euro Bronze) - 13-2 - 2019 Yasar Dogu
• Ismail Musukaev (2021 World Bronze medalist) - 9-9 at the 2019 Yasar Dogu
• Agustin Destribats (Olympian) - 7-4 - 2020 Pan-Am Championship
• James Green - 3-3 - 2020 RTC Cup 
• James Green - 4-4 - 2020 RTC Cup
• James Green - 5-0 - 2021 Henri Deglane
• Sammy Sasso - 12-2 - 2020 RTC Cup 
• Matt Kolodzik - 9-6 - Spartan vs NJRTC
• Anthony Ashnault - 10-0 Spartan Combat Event
• Vladimer Khinchegashvili (world and Olympic champion) - 2021 Henri Deglane
• Pat Lugo - 7-2 - 2021 America’s Cup
• Frank Molinaro - 10-0 - 2021 US Olympic Trials
• Joey McKenna - 15-4 - 2021 Poland Open
• Eduard Grigorev (Euro champ) - 7-4 and 9-3 - 2021 Poland Open
• Joey McKenna - 5-2 - 2021 World Team Trials
• Joey McKenna - 12-2 - 2021 World Team Trials

Watch Yianni Diakomihalis make his first world team by taking out Joey McKenna at the 2021 World Team Trials:

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Yianni's Time To End The 65kg Curse

The United States hasn't brought home a medal at 65kg since current Team USA head freestyle coach Bill Zadick won a world title all the way back in 2006 (notably the weight class was 66kg back then). If there's ever a year the streak ends, it's this year with Yianni Diakomihalis. He gained valuable experience at last year's world championships and looks to have added tools to his game in both his leg attacks and his gut wrench. Beyond that, it looks as though the field at the world championships will be the "weakest" it's ever been. Russia is banned from competition which means returning Olympic bronze medalist Gadzhimurad Rashidov will be out of worlds. On top of that, it appears Japan's defending Olympic champion Takuto Otoguro is taking a year off and will also miss the world championships. Yianni Diakomihalis is entering the prime of his freestyle career and looks poised to start winning medals at the highest levels - he just needs to get by Evan Henderson at Final X first.

Coach Mike Grey shares how confident he is in Yianni's ability to win a world title:

Evan Henderson Has Done Just Fine As The Underdog

Evan Henderson entered his senior-level career in 2015 with far less fan fair compared to the phenom Diakohomihalis. It’s not that he didn’t have a good college career - he earned All-American honors twice for the North Carolina Tar Heels placing 6th in 2013 and 4th in 2014. However, no one has ever predicted Henderson to make world teams or win world medals. And with good reason - in his first two years on the senior level, Henderson failed to qualify for the world team trials in 2015 and the Olympic trials in 2016. 

Despite the lack of expectations and his slow start, Henderson has become a better freestyle wrestler than anyone could have ever predicted and is a testament to the benefit of RTCs. After short stints at NC State and Campbell, Evan Henderson has spent time training at the Wisconsin RTC, NYC RTC, Spartan Combat RTC, and now the Ohio RTC. And after not qualifying for trials in 2015 and 2016, Henderson placed 4th in both 2017 and 2018 and is coming off a third-place finish in 2021. Along with those finishes, Henderson has defeated an impressive list of competitors over the years including 6 former NCAA champions, 2 NCAA runner-ups, and credentialed international competitors. 

• Kellen Russell (NCAA Champ)- 15-13 - 2017 World Team Trials 
• Joey McKenna (3X AA, NCAA Finalist) - 14-12 - 2019 Bil Farrell 
• Matt Kolodzik (3X AA) - 7-6 - 2019 Senior Nationals 
• Dean Heil (2X NCAA Champ) - 13-2 - 2019 Senior Nationals 
• Vazgen Tevanyan (2020 world cup champ, U23 world silver, Olympian) - 4-3 - 2019 Continental Cup
• Dean Heil (2X NCAA Champ) - 14-3 - 2019 Dave Schultz 
• Nyurgin Skriabin (Euro Silver) - 14-6 - 2020 Henri Deglane
• Jaydin Eierman (4X AA, NCAA Finalist) - 13-5 - 2020 Senior Nationals 
• Pat Lugo - 8-6 - 2021 Last Chance Olympic Qualifier
• Anthony Ashnault (NCAA Champ) - 12-2 - 2021 US Olympic Trials
• Seth Gross (NCAA Champ) - 14-12 - Rudis Super Match
• Pat Lugo 7-4 - 2022 World Team Trials
• Kendric Maple (NCAA Champ) - 5-2 - 2022 World Team Trials 
• Nick Lee (2X NCAA Champ) - 12-11 - 2022 World Team Trials

Watch Evan Henderson's win over Nick Lee to make Final X:

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The Case For Henderson

While Evan Henderson might be the underdog against Yianni Diakomihalis at Final X, his track record has proven he should never be underestimated. Diakomihalis is one of the best in the world at 65kg, but Henderson will have the advantage of familiarity. Evan Henderson spent a year training at the Spartan RTC and wrestling Yianni Diakomihalis daily. Diakomihalis is a nightmare for many to wrestle because of his style and athleticism which is unique to any American wrestler. However, Henderson won’t be surprised by the skills Yianni brings to the mat on Final X.

Hear how Evan Henderson ended up at Spartan Combat RTC in 2020:

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It’s also important to note Henderson has numerous wins over wrestlers who have defeated Diakomihalis in the past. From Henderson’s above “hit-list” - Vazgen Tevanyan, Nick Lee, and Joey McKenna all have wins over Yianni during his senior-level, freestyle career. To suggest Evan Henderson isn’t on Yianni’s level is not only ignoring Henderson’s wrestling ability but also his on-the-mat results. 

Hear from Evan Henderson immediately after he qualified for Final X:

Who Wins At Final X?

Is it Yianni's time or can Evan Henderson shock the world and pull off another upset? That will be the question answered when these two take the mat in New York City on June 8. Even though these two will be familiar with one another, expect their matches at Final X to be high-scoring, entertaining bouts. Both Henderson and Yianni aren't afraid to give up points as they have the offensive abilities to score in bunches and seldom win tactical, low-scoring matches. While Yianni might be the favorite for many, Evan Henderson has proved time and again just how dangerous a wrestler he is when underestimated. Expect a show at the Hulu Theatre at Final X - this series has the potential to be the best of the night.