US Open Early Predictions

[nhs67]

17 hours ago, oldschool said:

also, any idea why brooks and dake didn't accept their final X bids?

is dake because he's moving up in weight?

 

Just now, wrestlingfan22 said:

Both moving up in weight, Brooks is also coming off an injury and may not be cleared this year

Both moving up two (2) weights.

Dake: 74 KG -> 7̶9̶ ̶K̶G̶ -> 86 KG

Brooks: 86 KG -> 9̶2̶ ̶K̶G̶ -> 97 KG

[wrestlingfan22]

With Dake officially going 86, 1) that weight is stacked and 2) 79kg is WEAK. Of the current registrants Hamiti, McFadden, Wick and Kharcala are the top dogs. Other than Haines is there anyone else that could even register late? It doesn't seem like Burroughs is planning on competing this year (if ever again). 

 

Also with 86kg being so stacked, does anyone think we see a Zahid repeat from a few years ago where if someone doesn't make Final X from the Open they move up to 92 for WTT?

[oldschool]

yeah, would've loved to see Dake contend for another world title at 79kg.. but then again, I'm not the one who has to make weight 

i feel like this is zahid's time to shine w/ taylor in the room pushing him at osu. i expect it'll be a lot closer btwn zahid & dake; just hope we get to see this match.

agreed, if zahid loses, would love to see him contend at 92kg again

[okokzach]

For those that have watched a lot of Zahid's freestyle, how is his top game?

[Ragu]

Zahid has the ability to, and no disrespect, tech Dake. Dake also has the ability to chest wrap bomb him to hell. If it makes to second period and Zahid has a lead and gas in the tank it's over

[Truzzcat]

I am going to have egg on my face for sure, but I do not know if I have Kyle top 3 at 86kg at this point in his career. I think Parker and Carter can both beat him, and I think it may not be competitive with Zahid. I would absolutely love to be wrong him making the team at three different weights would be absolutely incredible. As far as our chances of medaling or winning gold I am not sure Zahid can beat Ghasempour maybe because DT has done it and can coach him up, but I do not see anyway Kyle generates against Ghasempour in a final setting he would be giving up at least 20lbs.

[D3 for LU]

I must of been sleeping in late... BUT KYLE DAKE GOING UP TO 86Kg for the Open?!?!

... you got my attention now!

D3

 

[MPhillips]

1 hour ago, Truzzcat said:

I think Parker and Carter can both beat him, and I think it may not be competitive with Zahid.

That's a surprising take for sure...

[neweruser69]

2 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

I am going to have egg on my face for sure, but I do not know if I have Kyle top 3 at 86kg at this point in his career. I think Parker and Carter can both beat him, and I think it may not be competitive with Zahid. I would absolutely love to be wrong him making the team at three different weights would be absolutely incredible. As far as our chances of medaling or winning gold I am not sure Zahid can beat Ghasempour maybe because DT has done it and can coach him up, but I do not see anyway Kyle generates against Ghasempour in a final setting he would be giving up at least 20lbs.

Dake losing fantasy matchups is a tale as old as time. 

[VakAttack]

I just won't pick against Dake domestically until proven otherwise.

[wrestlingfan22]

Have these two not wrestled since 2018?

[oldschool]

the last time dake wrestled zahid at 79kg (2018): 

 

[D3 for LU]

5 hours ago, VakAttack said:

I just won't pick against Dake domestically until proven otherwise.

Hmm... smart choice.

(But can he hold off Father Time?)

D3

Edited Monday at 10:41 PM by D3 for LU

[okokzach]

3 hours ago, oldschool said:

the last time dake wrestled zahid at 79kg (2018): 

 

That wasn't the last time. The last time they wrestled it was 4-3 Dake 

[okokzach]

I love Zahid's style and I'm rooting for him, but I won't be picking against Dake any time soon

[cangemi]

Can Dake challenge down weight if he loses? 

[wrestlingfan22]

1 hour ago, cangemi said:

Can Dake challenge down weight if he loses? 

If Dake loses at the US Open he can go to WTT at 79kg (or 92kg if he really wants to go crazy)

[Ragu]

Predictions 

57kg LL

61kg Fix

65kg McKenna

70kg Yianni (pls)

74kg MM

79kg McFadden

86kg Dake

92kg Hidlay

97kg Snyder

125kg Captain America

[JeanGuy]

28 minutes ago, Ragu said:

Predictions 

57kg LL

61kg Fix

65kg McKenna

70kg Yianni (pls)

74kg MM

79kg McFadden

86kg Dake

92kg Hidlay

97kg Snyder

125kg Captain America

"I thought I was Captain America"

[D3 for LU]

... there's some confusion in the ranks, here.

D3

[BarSeries]

https://www.themat.com/news/2025/april/22/senior-men-s-freestyle-seeds-released-for-2025-claw-u-s-open-championships

[oldschool]

my picks:

57: Lilledahl
61: Blaze
65: Mendez
70: Yianni
74: Mesenbrink
79: Hamiti
86: Dake
92: Hidlay
97: Snyder
125: Hendrickson

Edited 4 hours ago by oldschool

[oldschool]

not knocking any of the other competitors ofc

i'm going w/ hendrickson over zillmer cause he has momentum and has improved a ton this past year

blaze's matches w/ fix & gross were both razor thin last time. 61kg's prolly the deepest weight

79kg and 92kg are both relatively weak compared w/ the other weights which is a bit concerning for usa's team title chances come worlds. i'm hoping whoever loses at 86 & 74 bumps up to challenge the gaps

really hope we get to see carr vs mesenbrink at 74kg

[wrestlingfan22]

2 minutes ago, oldschool said:

not knocking any of the other competitors ofc

i'm going w/ hendrickson over zillmer cause he has momentum and has improved a ton this past year

blaze's matches w/ fix & gross were both razor thin last time. 61kg's prolly the deepest weight

79kg and 92kg are both relatively weak compared w/ the other weights which is a bit concerning for usa's team title chances come worlds. i'm hoping whoever loses at 86 & 74 bumps up to challenge the gaps

really hope we get to see carr vs mesenbrink at 74kg

We have already seen Plott move up to 92 it looks like, wonder who else follows. Is McFadden out? he would be the 2 seed at 79kg no?

[oldschool]

15 minutes ago, wrestlingfan22 said:

We have already seen Plott move up to 92 it looks like, wonder who else follows. Is McFadden out? he would be the 2 seed at 79kg no?

i don't see mcfadden on the seeds https://www.themat.com/news/2025/april/22/senior-men-s-freestyle-seeds-released-for-2025-claw-u-s-open-championships