Nick Gwiazdowski named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Nick Gwiazdowski in action at the 2016 Intercontinental Cup. Photo: Wrestdag.ru

Nick Gwiazdowski (Raleigh, N.C./New York AC/Wolfpack WC) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on Oct. 17, 2016.


Over the weekend, Gwiazdowski led the U.S. effort at the 2016 Intercontinental Cup held in Khasajvurt, Russia by winning a silver medal in men’s freestyle competition at 125 kg/275 lbs.


Gwiazdowski navigated to the finals with impressive wins over 2015 Military World Championships silver medalist Dmitry Popov of Kazakhstan, 2016 Junior World silver medalist Umar Israilov of Azerbaijan and defending Intercontinental Cup champion Anzor Hizriev of Russia.


In the finals bout, Gwiazdowski was edged by established veteran Batraz Gazzaev of Russia, 2-1. Gazzaev finished in third place at the 2014 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix, and holds gold medals from the 2011 Dmitri Korkin International, 2013 Moscow Lights tournament and the 2013 Copa Brasil.


In the past two years, Gwiazdowski has picked up international gold medals at the 2015 Grand Prix of Spain and 2015 Bill Farrell International, as well as a bronze from the 2016 Ziolkowski International. He was the fourth-place finisher at 125 kg at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials held in Iowa City, Iowa earlier this year.


Gwiazdowski was a two-time NCAA champion and three time NCAA finalist for North Carolina State. He finished his collegiate run last year holding four All-American honors and one of the top college heavyweight careers of all-time.


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.