Final X Preview: J’den Cox vs. Hayden Zillmer, 92 kg men’s freestyle

Who: J’den Cox vs. Hayden Zillmer
What: Final X
Where: Bethlehem, Pa.
When: June 23
Why: Men’s freestyle World Team spot at 92 kg
Tickets: FinalX.tv

J’den Cox
How he got to Final X:
As a new UWW weight without a returning medalist, Cox advanced to Final X by winning the 2018 U.S. Open at the weight, defeating Hayden Zillmer in the finals. Cox won a 2017 World medal at 86 kg but elected to move up to 92 kg, thus he had to go through the entire Trials process.

Background:
With two World and Olympic medals to his name, J’den Cox is likely the favorite in this match-up. However, Cox and Zillmer met up in the 2018 U.S. Open finals, where only two points were scored, both coming from Cox.

In 2016, Cox jumped onto the Senior freestyle scene, winning the Olympic Team Trials at 86 kg and shocking many, taking out four-time NCAA champ and now-2018 World Team member at 79 kg Kyle Dake in the best-of-three finals.

At the Olympic Games in Rio, Cox put up a strong effort on the front side of the bracket. Unfortunately, he fell in the semifinals to two-time Senior World medalist and eventual Olympic silver medalist Selim Yasar of Turkey. Cox went on to win the bronze-medal bout to start off his freestyle Senior international career.

In 2017, he took down David Taylor in three matches in the World Team Trials finals to earn a bid to the World Championships in Paris, France. (This year, Taylor won a spot on the 2018 World Team at 86 kg.)

In Paris, Cox looked like he was on his way to a championship performance, but he was stopped short in the semis by Boris Makoev of Slovakia. In the bronze match, Cox bounced back, defeating 2010 Senior World champion Michail Ganev of Bulgaria with a dominant 8-0 win.

With UWW’s announcement of two additional weight classes in each style, Cox decided to make the move up to 92 kg. Since the change, Cox won the U.S. Open, helped the U.S. to a World Cup team title and claimed silver at the International Ukrainian Memorial.

During his college career, Cox became the first Missouri wrestler to win three NCAA titles (2014, 2016, 2017), and he was only the second Tiger to win multiple titles. A four-time All-American, Cox was also the first true freshman from Mizzou to earn a spot atop the national podium.

Cox’s World Championship experience:
2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – BRONZE
2017 World Championships in Paris, France – BRONZE

Hayden Zillmer
How he got to Final X:
Zillmer defeated Deron Winn in the best-of-three finals of the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn., in May to advance to Final X.

Background:
Hayden Zillmer competed primarily in Greco-Roman for a couple years until last year, when he won the freestyle World Team Trials Last Chance Qualifier and competed in the freestyle Trials in Lincoln, Neb. He finished third to earn a spot on the National Team at 97 kg.

The achievement came just a little over a month after he made the Greco-Roman National Team for the second year in a row, finishing second at 98 kg. In 2016, Zillmer finished third at the Olympic Team Trials at 85 kg.

Regardless of the style or weight, Zillmer has been a top contender for the last couple of years. In addition to his National Team finishes, Zillmer has a pair of runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open, taking second in Greco in 2017 at 98 kg and finishing second in freestyle this year at 92 kg.

During the 2017-18 season, Zillmer has competed more frequently in freestyle than Greco, training with the Minnesota Storm in Minneapolis. He did double duty at the 20th Annual Dave Schultz Memorial International and the Cerro Pelado/Granma Cup in Cuba, wrestling in both styles. Between those four tournaments, he snagged a gold in Greco at the DSMI and a gold in freestyle at the Cerro Pelado.

He also competed in the World Cup, winning his match in the dual against India with a 7-0 decision. Shortly after, he claimed silver in freestyle at the U.S. Open, qualifying him for the Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, which he won to earn a spot in Final X.

As a college wrestler, Zillmer was a 2015 All-American for North Dakota State.

Zillmer’s World Championship experience:
None

Notes:

• Cox and Zillmer had a tight, 2-0, match in the 2018 U.S. Open finals, with Cox taking the win. This is their first year at the same weight in freestyle.
• Zillmer has recently transitioned from a full-time Greco athlete to putting some focus on freestyle.
• Cox recently moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., to become a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center.
• Follow Cox on Twitter @Matrix_8692 and Instagram @jmiz_cusa.
• Follow Zillmer on Twitter @HaydenZillmer and Instagram @jack.pine.savage

92 kg/202 lbs. MEN


J’den Cox, Columbia, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC)
College: Missouri High School: Columbia, Mo. (Hickman) Born: March 3, 1995
• Third in 2016 Olympic Games
• Third in 2017 World Championships
• 2018 U.S. Open champion
• 2016 World Olympic Qualifier champion (Mongolia)
• Third in 2016 Grand Prix of Germany
• Three-time NCAA champion for Missouri (2014, 2016-17)
• Four-time NCAA All-American
• Four-time Mid-American Conference champion (2014-17)
Hayden Zillmer, Crosby, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
College: North Dakota State High School: Crosby, Minn. (Crosby-Ironton) Born: July 16, 1992
• 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champion
• Second in 2018 U.S. Open in freestyle
• Third in 2017 U.S. World Team Trials in freestyle
• Second in 2017 U.S. World Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Third in 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2017 U.S. Open in Greco-Roman
• Two-time University Nationals champion (2013, 2015)
• 2015 NCAA All-American for North Dakota State