Heavyweight RAF wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson recently created a buzz through his dominating US Open win in under 27 seconds by securing a fall against Demetrius Thomas. Hendrickson, however, reflected on a specific moment during his journey to greatness when he got a bit cocky with his regime, which led to his 2025 World Championship loss, and mentioned how important it is to listen more and be honest about one’s complacency.
The US Open 2026 Men’s Wrestling witnessed gut-wrenching bouts packed with powerhouse wrestlers that delivered what they promised. Hendrickson was one of many who came in and proved his technical prowess with clinical precision right from the start whistle, which gave him an easy ticket to the Final X.
Hendrickson has, however, revealed the highs and lows of his journey from college NCAA to the world and admitted how the whole endeavor was nothing short of a big learning curve that humbled him. During the 2025 World’s at Zagreb, Hendrickson got beaten by Abdulla Kurbanov, after which Hendrickson changed his entire routine, and looking back now, he admits that his perfect 27-0 college season was wrapped in a selfish focus.
To be honest, after nationals, I felt like I’d climbed that mountain, and so I kind of was a little too cocky with my training. I was like, oh, I still got it. And then when I showed up to worlds, I looked back at my training cycle for the last 6 months, I’m like, wow, I didn’t really train at all.” I was more focused on selfish things,” he said (2:18).
He went on to speak about the greatness of his coaches, who stood by him regardless, but also handed him a harsh view of accountability by reminding him how important it is to listen if one wants to be a champion.
Wyatt Hendrickson Talks About Winning the US Open
Wyatt Hendrickson left behind an impact through his vicious pin victory against Demetrius Thomas in under 27 seconds, which got him to win the 125 kg U.S. Open title and head over to the Final X.
During the post-fight interview, Hendrickson shed light on the technicalities that helped him get the win and highlighted how his patience, which he had already displayed throughout the tournament, played a huge role in the win, alongside mentioning how he capitalized quickly with aggression.
“I’ve been patient all tournament, I just go with my feelings when I wrestle, it’s more muscle memory, I hit him with a good club and felt like he wasn’t just ready for a shot so I took a shot, ofcourse am aggresive, caught him on his back early,” he said (0:10).
Hendrickson is scheduled to head over to the Final X, alongside the other US Open winners, where they will compete for a spot on Team USA.
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