Jordan Holm named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Jordan Holm (USA) works a front headlock in the semifinals of the Pan American Olympic Qualifier. Photo: Tony Rotundo.

Jordan Holm (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on March 8, 2016.


Holm won a gold medal at 85 kg/187 lbs. at the Pan American Olympic Games Qualifier at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas on Sunday.


Holm controlled the action in the finals, earning a 9-0 technical fall over Alfonso Leyva Yepez of Mexico. In the first period, he scored on a takedown, a pushout and a gutwrench to lead 5-0 at the break. Holm added four second period points, ending with a takedown, for the technical fall. 


The top two wrestlers in each of the six Olympic weight classes contested at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier qualify their nation for the Olympic Games. With the victory, Holm earned Olympic qualification for the U.S. at 85 kg.


Holm was not scored upon in his wins in Frisco, outscoring his opponents 20-0. He opened with a dominant 8-0 technical fall over Alexander Brown Thieriault of Canada. In the semifinals, Holm defeated Yorgen Cova Pulido of Venezuela, 3-0.


A three-time U.S. World Team member, Holm is the favorite to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games in Brazil. He is a four-time U.S. Open champion, three-time Dave Schultz Memorial International champion and was a gold medalist at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix.


Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.


To nominate a wrestler for USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week please send the athlete’s name, wrestling program and weekly and career accomplishments to Richard Immel at rimmel@usawrestling.org.