U.S. Wrestling Foundation hosts Living the Dream Medal Fund Victory Tour event in New York City for 2021 World Championships medalists

In honor of USA Wrestling’s success at the World Championships, the U.S. Wrestling Foundation (USWF) hosted an event to recognize some of America’s medalists in support of the Living the Dream Medal Fund (LDMF).
In New York City on November 18, Adeline Gray, J’den Cox and G’Angelo Hancock received their “Big Checks” from LDMF stewards for winning medals at the 2021 World Championships in Oslo, Norway.
The Fund is the premier financial award in the Olympic movement that enables wrestling athletes to continue wrestling through multiple Olympic cycles.
USWF Chairman and LDMF steward, Jeff Waters commented that “USA’s best wrestlers used to win World championships, but had to retire at 25 years old to get a job. Now, our wrestlers are able to compete longer and start a family.”
Clearly the strategy is working, as evidenced by Adeline Gray’s record as America’s first six-time Senior World Champion. She received a $50,000 Big Check for winning the 2021 World gold medal.
J’den Cox, as well, has been on the podium for USA five times, including winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and gold medals at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships. Cox was presented with a $15,000 Big Check for his 2021 World bronze medal.
The program is starting to pay dividends in Greco-Roman wrestling as well, where G’Angelo Hancock won USA’s first World medal in three years. Hancock also received a $15,000 Big Check for the 2021 World bronze medal.
“This is the start of something great for Greco in America,” said Hancock. “More countries wrestle Greco-Roman than freestyle and we need to be there with them to build our relationships around the world. Wrestling is a great way to bridge the gap between people from different cultures and Greco-Roman is the language they speak.”
USA Wrestling had its most successful World Championships in history in Oslo, winning a total of 15 medals. This followed USA Wrestling’s impressive success at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where American wrestlers won an impressive nine medals.
Funding for LDMF comes from supporters and stewards who want to see USA consistently at the top of the podium and create more opportunities and publicity for our athletes.
For more information on the Living the Dream Medal Fund and to support the cause, please visit the Living the Dream Fund donation page here.