2024 World medalist Vito Arujau receives delay for Final X men’s freestyle 61 kg series against Jax Forrest to a later date

2024 World bronze medalist Vito Arujau (Ithaca, N.Y./Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has requested and received a delay for his 2025 Final X best-of-three championship series against Jax Forrest (Johnstown, Pa./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) at 61 kg in men’s freestyle.

Arujau was scheduled to face Forrest at Final X at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, June 14. The date and location for their delayed Final X championship series is not yet determined.

The winner of the delayed Final X series between Arujau and Forrest will represent the United States at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in September at 61 kg.

According to the approved 2025 World Team Trials Qualification & Procedures - Men’s Freestyle, “only a 2024 Senior World Medalist or 2024 Olympic Medalist, who earned an automatic berth into the Final X, may request a medical delay for competing in the Final X Wrestle-Off.”

Arujau has complied with the timing requirement for the delay, in which “the request for delay must occur at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled weigh-in time.” As is also required, Arujau’s delay request was “submitted in writing to the respective Sport Committee Chair for review, to include a written certification of the injury or illness from a USA Wrestling-approved medical doctor.”

At this time, the date, time and place for their Final X series has not been set. According to the procedures, “the National Coach and athletes involved shall determine the date, time, and place for the Final Wrestle-Off. If consensus cannot be reached, the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee shall make this determination.”

Arujau qualified for Final X by earning a bronze medal at the 2024 Senior World Championships. He accepted his berth in Final X on April 14. Arujau also won a 2023 Senior World gold medal at 61 kg. He is a two-time age-group World silver medalist and two-time Senior Pan American champion.

Forrest qualified for Final X winning the 61 kg Senior Men’s Freestyle title at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas in April. Forrest, who is still in high school, won a silver medal at the 2022 U17 World Championships.

With the delay at 61 kg, there will be nine men’s freestyle weight classes and 10 women’s freestyle weight classes contested at Final X in Newark.

Final X will serve as the Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit, the 15th BTSNY Annual Benefit to date. These unique electrifying events help BTSNY raise more than $1 million each year to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The BTSNY Annual Benefit after-party will follow the conclusion of Final X.

Final X will be held in two sessions on Saturday, June 14. Session I, which starts at 2 p.m. (ET), will feature round one in each best-of-three series. Session II, which starts at 5 p.m. (ET), will continue with round two and if-necessary round three matches. Match order for each session will be provided at a later date.

For more information about Final X, please visit themat.com at https://www.themat.com/2025-finalx