USA Wrestling and Air Force Special Warfare Celebrate Successful 2025 Partnership

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (September 4, 2025) – USA Wrestling and Air Force Special Warfare are proud to celebrate its continued partnership that brought together two organizations driven by a shared commitment to excellence, resilience, and mental toughness.

Air Force Special Warfare is wrapping up a successful year two as an Official Armed Services Partner of USA Wrestling. The 2025 partnership included title sponsorship of the 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals held in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Junior National Duals held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which are two of USA Wrestling’s premier age-group national events. Air Force Special Warfare also maintained its presenting sponsorship of USA Wrestling’s Athlete of the Week series, which highlights a standout member of the USA Wrestling community on a weekly basis.

The 16U and Junior Folkstyle Nationals saw over 1,500 participants from 42 states compete in the first leg of USA Wrestling’s Triple Crown Award series, plus Master’s division action. The Junior National Duals hosted nearly 1,400 athletes representing 35 state teams in a battle for state supremacy. Illinois won the Greco-Roman national title, while Pennsylvania topped the freestyle ranks. Over 30 individual athletes have been recognized as part of the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week program to date in 2025.

“USA Wrestling is proud of our continued partnership with Air Force Special Warfare, an organization that shares our values of discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence,” said Rich Bender, Executive Director of USA Wrestling. “Our joint efforts helps show young wrestlers that the mindset they develop on the mat can take them far beyond it.”

The unique collaboration between organizations highlights the parallels between the nation’s top wrestlers and Air Force Special Warfare Airmen. Through joint events, educational programs, community engagement, event sponsorship, and joint media ventures, the partnership aims to inspire athletes and fans alike by showcasing what it takes to succeed both on the mat and in demanding combat environments.

Air Force Special Warfare is known for developing highly trained, adaptable warriors who operate in high-stakes, complex missions. These Airmen embody the same grit and determination that fuels elite wrestlers, making this partnership a natural fit to motivate the next generation of athletes and leaders.

Air Force Special Warfare is the quiet professional force conducting global air, space, and cyber-enabled special operations across the spectrum of engagements with joint service and partner nations. We train to conquer any challenges our nation faces – from humanitarian, search and rescue or facing our adversaries anywhere in global conflict to protect allies and national interests. To learn more, visit airforce.com.

USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the sport of wrestling in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and United World Wrestling. With over 370,000 members, USA Wrestling supports the development, competition, and growth of the wrestling across all levels. For more information visit themat.com.

Richard Immel

Sr. Manager, Communications, USA Wrestling

rimmel@usawrestling.org