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Living The Dream Medal Fund Tops $6 Million In Athlete Distributions Since Inception; $285k Awarded To Nine Wrestlers In 2025

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by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling

Trent Hidlay celebrates his gold medal win at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

Trent Hidlay celebrates his gold medal win at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

The USA Wrestling Living the Dream Medal Fund (LDMF) program has distributed $6.08 million in bonuses to Olympic Games and Senior World Championships wrestling medalists since its inception in 2009.


Eight individuals received payouts from the LDMF in 2025, totaling $285k for the first year of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Quadrennial. With its new additions in 2025, the LDMF has now directly impacted 54 individual American wrestlers at the highest level of the sport.


There were eight wrestlers to earn a medal at the 2025 Senior World Championships held in Zagreb, Croatia. The four World champions for Team USA—Helen Maroulis, Zahid Valencia, Trent Hidlay and Kyle Snyder—were awarded $50k each. Solo silver medalist Levi Haines brought in $25k. Bronze medal recipients Real Woods, Kennedy Blades and Kylie Welker all earned $15k.


Additionally, retired U.S. Greco-Roman competitor Robby Smith was retroactively awarded a bronze medal from the 2015 Senior World Championships held in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to a doping violation from his bronze medal match opponent. The LDMF honored this updated result and awarded Smith with $15k in bonus earnings to accompany his bronze medal.


Through the generosity of the now 21 LDMF Stewards, USA Wrestling can provide critical financial support to its proven performers on the Senior level, a commitment unparalleled across all sports in the Olympic movement.


Living the Dream Medal Fund bonus amounts for performance at the Olympic Games and Senior World Championships are as follows:


  • Olympic Games: $250k for gold, $50k for silver, and $25k for bronze
  • Senior World Championships: $50k for gold, $25k for silver, and $15k for bronze

Wrestlers also receive additional financial support in the form of stipends and performance bonuses at other specific events, as part of their National Team contracts. Many others receive support from professional jobs, club and RTC support, sponsorships and other various income sources.


USA Wrestling has demonstrated sustained performance improvement since the creation of the LDMF program, growing the total amount of payments in each Olympiad.


  • 2012 Olympic Cycle – $775,000
  • 2016 Olympic Cycle – $1,075,000
  • 2020 Olympic Cycle – $1,850,000
  • 2024 Olympic Cycle – $2,095,000

Three athletes have received over half a million dollars in career payouts from the LDMF—Jordan Burroughs at $595,000, Kyle Snyder at $580,000 and Helen Maroulis at $555,000. Both Snyder and Maroulis remain active with the opportunity to exceed Burroughs’ mark in 2026 and become the first athletes to eclipse $600k. Rounding out the top five in career earnings from the LDMF are David Taylor at $440,000, plus Tamyra Mensah-Stock and Sarah Hildebrandt, who are tied with $380,000 apiece. All six of these individuals are Olympic champions for Team USA.

Living The Dream Medal Fund History  

Total Payout Since Inception (2009-25) - $6,085,000 


Total 2025 World Championships Payout 

$50,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2025 women’s freestyle World gold medal (57 kg)

$50,000 – Zahid Valencia, 2025 men’s freestyle World gold medal (86 kg)

$50,000 – Trent Hidlay, 2025 men’s freestyle World gold medal (92 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2025 men’s freestyle World gold medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Levi Haines, 2025 men’s freestyle World silver medal (79 kg)

$15,000 – Real Woods, 2025 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (65 kg)

$15,000 – Kennedy Blades, 2025 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (68 kg)

$15,000 – Kylie Welker, 2025 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (76 kg)

2025 World Championships Total - $270,000

2021-2024 Olympic Four-Year Cycle  

$250,000 – Sara Hildebrandt, 2024 women’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (50 kg)

$250,000 – Amit Elor, 2024 women’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (68 kg)

$50,000 – Spencer Lee, 2024 men’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (57 kg)

$50,000 – Kennedy Blades, 2024 women’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (76 kg)

$25,000 – Kyle Dake, 2024 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (74 kg)

$25,000 – Aaron Brooks, 2024 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (86 kg)

$25,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2024 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (57 kg)

$15,000 – Macey Kilty, 2024 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (65 kg)

$15,000 – Kylie Welker, 2024 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (72 kg)

$15,000 – Vito Arujau, 2024 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (61 kg)

$15,000 – David Taylor, 2024 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (92 kg)

$50,000 – Vito Arujau, 2023 men’s freestyle World gold medal (61 kg)

$50,000 – Zain Retherford, 2023 men’s freestyle World gold medal (70 kg)

$50,000 – David Taylor, 2023 men’s freestyle World gold medal (86 kg)

$50,000 – Amit Elor, 2023 women’s freestyle World gold medal (72 kg)

$25,000 – Jacarra Winchester, 2023 women’s freestyle World silver medal (55 kg)

$25,000 – Macey Kilty, 2023 women’s freestyle World silver medal (65 kg)

$25,000 – Kyle Dake, 2023 men’s freestyle World silver medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Sarah Hildebrandt, 2023 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (50 kg)

$15,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2023 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (57 kg)

$15,000 – Jennifer Page, 2023 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (59 kg)

$15,000 – Adeline Gray, 2023 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (76 kg)

$15,000 – Zahid Valencia, 2023 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (92 kg)

$15,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2023 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (97 kg)

$15,000 – Mason Parris, 2023 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (125 kg)

$50,000 – Dominique Parrish, 2022 women’s freestyle World gold medal (53 kg)

$50,000 – Tamyra Mensah Stock, 2022 women’s freestyle World gold medal (68 kg)

$50,000 – Amit Elor, 2022 women’s freestyle World gold medal (72 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Dake, 2022 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$50,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2022 men’s freestyle World gold medal (79 kg)

$50,000 – David Taylor, 2022 men’s freestyle World gold medal (86 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2022 men’s freestyle World gold medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2022 women’s freestyle World silver medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Kayla Miracle, 2022 women’s freestyle World silver medal (62 kg)

$25,000 – Thomas Gilman, 2022 men’s freestyle World silver medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Yianni Diakomihals, 2022 men’s freestyle World silver medal (65 kg)

$25,000 – Zain Retherford, 2022 men’s freestyle World silver medal (70 kg)

$25,000 – J’den Cox, 2022 men’s freestyle World silver medal (92 kg)

$15,000 – Sarah Hildebrandt, 2022 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (50 kg)

$15,000 – Mallory Velte, 2022 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (65 kg)

$50,000 - Thomas Gilman, 2021 men’s freestyle World gold medal (57 kg)

$50,000 - Helen Maroulis, 2021 women’s freestyle World gold medal (57 kg)

$50,000 - Kyle Dake, 2021 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$50,000 - Adeline Gray, 2021 women’s freestyle World gold medal (76 kg)

$50,000 - Jordan Burroughs, 2021 men’s freestyle World gold medal (79 kg)

$25,000 - Daton Fix, 2021 men’s freestyle World silver medal (61 kg)

$25,000 - Sarah Hildebrandt, 2021 women’s freestyle World silver medal (50 kg)

$25,000 - Kyle Snyder, 2021 men’s freestyle World silver medal (97 kg)

$25,000 - Kayla Miracle, 2021 women’s freestyle World silver medal (62 kg)

$25,000 - David Taylor, 2021 men’s freestyle World silver medal (86 kg)

$15,000 - Tamyra Mensah Stock, 2021 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (68 kg)

$15,000 - G’Angelo Hancock, 2021 Greco-Roman World bronze medal (97 kg)

$15,000 - Jenna Burkert, 2021 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (55 kg)

$15,000 - J’den Cox, 2021 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (92 kg)

$15,000 - Forrest Molinari, 2021 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (65 kg)

2021-24 Olympic Cycle Total – $2,095,000


2017-2020 Olympic Four-Year Cycle 

$250,000 – Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (68 kg)

$250,000 – David Taylor, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (86 kg)

$250,000 – Gable Steveson, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (125 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (76 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic silver medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Thomas Gilman, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – Kyle Dake, 2020 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (74 kg)

$25,000 – Sarah Hildebrandt, 2020 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (50 kg)

$50,000 – Jacarra Winchester, 2019 women’s freestyle World gold medal (55 kg)

$50,000 – Tamyra Mensah Stock, 2019 women’s freestyle World gold medal (68 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2019 women’s freestyle World gold medal (76 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Dake, 2019 men’s freestyle World gold medal (79 kg)

$50,000 – J’den Cox, 2019 men’s freestyle World gold medal (92 kg)

$15,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2019 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2019 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (97 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2018 women’s freestyle World gold medal (76 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Dake, 2018 men’s freestyle World gold medal (79 kg)

$50,000 – David Taylor, 2018 men’s freestyle World gold medal (86 kg)

$50,000 – J’den Cox, 2018 men’s freestyle World gold medal (92 kg)

$25,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2018 men’s freestyle World silver medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Sarah Hildebrandt, 2018 women’s freestyle World silver medal (53 kg)

$25,000 – Adam Coon, 2018 Greco-Roman World silver medal (130 kg)

$15,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2018 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Nick Gwiazdowski, 2018 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (125 kg)

$15,000 – Joe Colon, 2018 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (61 kg)

$15,000 – Mallory Velte, 2018 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (62 kg)

$15,000 – Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 2018 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (68 kg)

$50,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2017 women’s freestyle World gold medal (58 kg)

$50,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2017 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2017 men’s freestyle World gold medal (97 kg)

$25,000 – Alli Ragan, 2017 women’s freestyle World silver medal (60 kg)

$25,000 – Thomas Gilman, 2017 men’s freestyle World silver medal (57 kg)

$25,000 – James Green, 2017 men’s freestyle World silver medal (70 kg)

$15,000 – Becka Leathers, 2017 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (55 kg)

$15,000 – J’den Cox, 2017 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (86 kg)

$15,000 – Nick Gwiazdowski, 2017 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (125 kg)

2017-20 Olympic Cycle Total – $1,850,000


2013-2016 Olympic Four-Year Cycle 

$50,000 – Logan Stieber, 2016 men’s freestyle World gold medal (61 kg)

$25,000 – Alli Ragan, 2016 women’s freestyle World silver medal (60 kg)

$250,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2016 men’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (97 kg)

$250,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2016 women’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (53 kg)

$25,000 – J’den Cox, 2016 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (86 kg)

$50,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2015 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2015 women’s freestyle World gold medal (75 kg)

$50,000 – Kyle Snyder, 2015 men’s freestyle World gold medal (97 kg)

$50,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2015 women’s freestyle World gold medal (55 kg)

$15,000 – Andy Bisek, 2015 Greco-Roman World bronze medal (75 kg)

$15,000 – Leigh Jaynes-Provisor, 2015 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (60 kg)

$15,000 – James Green, 2015 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (70 kg)

$15,000 – Robby Smith, 2015 Greco-Roman World bronze medal (130 kg)

$50,000 – Adeline Gray, 2014 women’s freestyle World gold medal (75 kg)

$25,000 – Elena Pirozhkova, 2014 women’s freestyle World silver medal (63 kg)

$15,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2014 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Andy Bisek, 2014 Greco-Roman World bronze medal (75 kg)

$15,000 – Tervel Dlagnev, 2014 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (125 kg)

$15,000 – Helen Maroulis, 2014 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (55 kg)

$50,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2013 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Adeline Gray, 2013 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (72 kg)

$15,000 – Alyssa Lampe, 2013 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (48 kg)

$15,000 – Elena Pirozhkova, 2013 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (63 kg)

2013-2016 Olympic Cycle Total – $1,090,000


2009-2012 Olympic Four-Year Cycle 

$250,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2012 men’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (74 kg)

$250,000 – Jake Varner, 2012 men’s freestyle Olympic gold medal (96 kg)

$25,000 – Coleman Scott, 2012 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (60 kg)

$25,000 – Clarissa Chun, 2012 women’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (48 kg)

$25,000 – Tervel Dlagnev, 2012 men’s freestyle Olympic bronze medal (125 kg)

$50,000 – Jordan Burroughs, 2011 men’s freestyle World gold medal (74 kg)

$15,000 – Jake Varner, 2011 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (96 kg)

$15,000 – Adeline Gray, 2011 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (67 kg)

$15,000 – Ali Bernard, 2011 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (72 kg)

$25,000 – Elena Pirozhkova, 2010 women’s freestyle World silver medal (63 kg)

$15,000 – Tatiana Padilla, 2010 women’s freestyle World bronze medal (55 kg)

$25,000 – Jake Herbert, 2009 men’s freestyle World silver medal (84 kg)

$25,000 – Dremiel Byers, 2009 Greco-Roman World silver medal (120 kg)

$15,000 – Tervel Dlagnev, 2009 men’s freestyle World bronze medal (120 kg)

2009-2012 Olympic Cycle Total – $775,000

LDMF Career Earnings By Athlete (54) 

$595,000 – Jordan Burroughs

$580,000 – Kyle Snyder

$555,000 – Helen Maroulis

$440,000 – David Taylor

$380,000 - Tamyra Mensah Stock

$380,000 - Sarah Hildebrandt

$350,000 – Amit Elor

$345,000 – Adeline Gray

$275,000 – Kyle Dake

$265,000 – Jake Varner

$250,000 – Gable Steveson

$180,000 - J’den Cox

$125,000 - Thomas Gilman

$75,000 - Jacarra Winchester, Zain Retherford

$65,000 – Elena Pirozhkova, Vito Arujau, Zahid Valencia, Kennedy Blades

$55,000 - Tervel Dlagnev

$50,000 – Logan Stieber, Alli Ragan, Dominique Parrish, Kayla Miracle, Spencer Lee, Trent Hidlay

$40,000 – James Green, Macey Kilty

$30,000 – Andy Bisek, Nick Gwiazdowski, Kylie Welker

$25,000 – Coleman Scott, Clarissa Chun, Jake Herbert, Dremiel Byers, Adam Coon, Daton Fix, Yianni Diakomihalis, Aaron Brooks, Levi Haines

$15,000 – Leigh Jaynes-Provisor, Alyssa Lampe, Ali Bernard, Tatiana Padilla, Becka Leathers, Joe Colon, Mallory Velte, G’Angelo Hancock, Jenna Burkert, Forrest Molinari, Jennifer Page, Mason Parris, Robby Smith, Real Woods


LDMF Payouts By Year 

2009 - $65,000

2010 - $40,000

2011 – $95,000

2012 – $575,000

2013 – $95,000

2014 – $135,000

2015 – $260,000

2016 - $600,000

2017 - $270,000

2018 - $350,000

2019 - $280,000

2020 - $950,000 (awarded after Tokyo Games in 2021)

2021 - $450,000

2022 – $530,000

2023 - $380,000

2024 - $735,000

2025 - $270,000