In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, high school standout and Oklahoma State commit Jax Forrest delivered a performance for the ages, securing the gold medal in the 61 kg men’s freestyle division with a high-scoring 17-14 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Omurbek Asan Uulu. This win not only marked Forrest’s first age-group World gold but also propelled Team USA to the top of the team standings, a monumental achievement for American wrestling.
Forrest, a senior at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2026, committed to Oklahoma State back in February 2025 under head coach David Taylor. His path to the podium was nothing short of dominant. Across four matches, Forrest racked up an astonishing 55 points, starting with three consecutive technical falls: 13-0 over Vasile Marcu of Moldova, 10-0 over Mykyta Abramov of Ukraine, and 15-5 over Japan’s Akito Mukaida.
The gold medal match was a rollercoaster. Just 10 seconds in, Forrest nearly pinned Asan Uulu after dropping him to his back. The Kyrgyz wrestler fought back, grabbing a 5-4 lead with takedowns and a step-out. But Forrest’s quad pod finish at the end of the first period swung the momentum, giving him a 9-5 advantage at the break. The second period saw the lead change hands again, with Asan Uulu pulling ahead 12-11. Undeterred, Forrest sealed the deal with a low-ankle snatch and quad pod turn for four points, building a five-point cushion with just over a minute left. A late takedown from Asan Uulu wasn’t enough, and Forrest held on for the 17-14 win.
This triumph adds to an already impressive resume for the young phenom. Forrest earned a U17 World silver medal in 2022 and, remarkably, placed fifth at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, just last month—competing against wrestlers far more experienced while still in high school. Earlier this year, he made waves by defeating World No. 1 Vito Arujau at the U.S. Open in Fargo, showcasing his readiness for elite competition.
Forrest’s gold was part of a stellar showing by Team USA, which clinched the men’s freestyle team title with 137 points, edging out Iran (127) and leaving Japan (85) in third. Other American medalists included golds from Luke Lilledahl (57 kg), Mitchell Mesenbrink (74 kg), and Levi Haines (79 kg), plus a bronze from PJ Duke (70 kg). Placement points from Rocco Welsh (7th at 86 kg) and Garavous Kouekabakilaho (10th at 97 kg) also contributed to the team victory.
For Oklahoma wrestling fans, Forrest’s success is a glimpse into the future. As a Cowboy commit training with the Cowboy RTC and Titan Mercury WC, he’s poised to bring his explosive style and international pedigree to Stillwater in 2026. His ability to score big points and thrive under pressure could make him an immediate impact player for OSU, a program with a storied history of producing champions.
Archived matches from the event are available on FloWrestling.com, with brackets and results on UWW Arena. Stay tuned to our site for more updates on Oklahoma State’s recruiting class and the road to the NCAA season.
