American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler Kyle Douglas Dake presently competes at 74 kilos. Dake is a four-time world champion who twice took home the championship in a row, weighing 79 kg in 2018 and 2019 and 74 kg in 2021 and 2022. At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he competed at 74 kg and won a Bronze Medal. He qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after winning the Pan American Games in 2023.
Kyle Dake qualifies for the Olympic Games Paris 2024
Kyle Dake secured his place on the United States team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by winning the 74kg freestyle wrestling event at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials held in State College, Pennsylvania, on April 20th.
This achievement came only nine days after the passing of his father. Dake comfortably won his matches, with scores of 4-1 and 3-1, against Jason Nolf, the wrestler who had previously eliminated Jordan Burroughs from Olympic contention. However, upon qualifying for Paris 2024, Dake did not display the same level of joy as the other wrestlers who had won on that day.
“It’s pretty hard for me. My dad passed away last week. It’s the first time that I have had to do this without him.”
Dake said through tears after embracing his family following the contest.
Dake, a five-time world champion, will be joined on the U.S. team by three-time Olympians Kyle Snyder and Helen Maroulis. Meanwhile, established names such as Adeline Gray and David Taylor missed out on qualifying, as several new, young talents caused upsets to secure their spots at their first Olympic Games.
Kyle Dake was a Team Captain in his High School
Kyle Douglas Dake was born on February 25, 1991, in Ithaca, New York, United States, but his current residence is in State College, Pennsylvania.
His parents are Doug and Jodi Dake, and he has two siblings, Corey and Kristin. Dake stands at a height of 5 feet 9 inches (175.25 cm) and weighs 74 kg (163 lb).
He graduated from Lansing High School in New York in 2009, where he became a two-time NYSPHSAA State champion in 2007 and 2009, coached by his father, Doug Dake.
During his time at Lansing High School, Dake was a six-time letter winner, serving as team captain for four seasons. He also earned two letters in baseball, playing second base and catcher, and lettered in track for sprinting.
Dake’s club is Titan Mercury WC, where he is coached by Rob Koll. As a senior, he was named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner and Schalles Award winner. He also claimed three EIWA titles while competing for Cornell University.
At Cornell University, Dake became the third four-time NCAA Division I National Champion in history and the only one to achieve this feat in four different weight classes without redshirting.
Kyle Dake Is happily married
Kyle Douglas Dake and Megan got married on December 11, 2016. They have two daughters named EllaJo and Emilia, and one son named Leo.
How Dake Started His Career in Wrestling
In 2008, Dake focused more on Greco-Roman wrestling, but in freestyle, he was a two-time FILA US National All-American and a Fargo All-American. In Greco-Roman, he was a three-time FILA US National finalist, winning the championship in 2008, as well as the US World Team Trials. He placed fourteenth at the 2008 Greco-Roman Junior World Championships.
In 2011, Dake made his senior freestyle debut in April at age 20, becoming the US university national runner-up to 2010 US national champion Andrew Howe. In June, he competed at the US World Team Trials, posting wins over J.P O’Connor and Tyler Caldwell, going 3-2 overall.
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In April 2012, Dake, then a three-time NCAA champion, attempted to become the US Olympic team member at 74 kilos but was unable to as he was defeated by Trent Paulson in the semifinals. Overall, he had wins over David Taylor (pin), and Nick Marable (twice) to place third.
In 2013, after graduation, Dake competed at the 2013 US World Team Trials attempting to represent the US at the World Championships, but after defeating three wrestlers, he was unable to win the best-of-three finale, falling to defending Olympic and World Champion Jordan Burroughs, who would go on to claim the World Championships again. Dake also competed at the Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix in Azerbaijan.
How Kyle Dake Came Back
In 2014, Dake came back in February with his championship performance from the Granma Cup, but after more injuries and infections, he sat out until November where he won a single match.
In 2015, he competed at the US World Team Trials after winning the Northeastern Regionals and advanced to the best-of-three finals. Dake was again defeated twice in a row by Jordan Burroughs. Dake then did not compete until December when he moved up to 86 kilograms for the US Nationals, placing first after beating David Taylor, Jon Reader, Keith Gavin and Tyrel Todd.
In 2016, his appearances were scarce, only competing at the Alexander Medved Open (placing ninth) and the US Olympic Team Trials. At the trials, Dake defeated Richard Perry and David Taylor to advance to the best-of-three finals. Facing J’den Cox, Dake lost the first match, won the second, but lost the third, placing second at the US Olympic Team Trials.
In 2017, Dake claimed the Grand Prix of Paris at 74 kilograms after defeating Alex Dieringer in the finals. At the US Open in April, Dake again defeated Dieringer in the semifinals but lost to Jordan Burroughs on criteria, placing second. At the US World Team Trials, Dake defeated two-time NCAA champion Isaiah Martinez and three-time champion Alex Dieringer to make the best-of-three finals.
Facing Jordan Burroughs, Dake took the first match on criteria but lost the next two by decision, seemingly ending the rivalry 1-7 in favor of Burroughs. In December, Dake moved up to 79 kilograms and helped Team USA place second at the Clubs World Cup with six technical falls.
How Dake’s Career has improved since 2018
In 2018, Dake’s first event was the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin. After defeating Alan Zaseev and Rashid Kurbanov, he lost to Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, claiming the silver medal. However, he came back to win the World Cup, beating Sosuke Takatani and Tariel Gaprindashvili, before defeating Jabrayil Hasanov for a team title.
Dake claimed his second US national title, defeating Alex Dieringer in the finale. Dake also made his first US World Team at Final X: State College, when he defeated Zahid Valencia twice in a row. As preparation, Dake won the Yasar Dogu International, defeating Jabrayil Hasanov, Ayhan Sucu, and Ibrahim Yusubov.
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In October, at age 27, Dake competed at the World Championships for the first time in his career. He won every match via technical fall without giving up a point until the finals, defeating Martin Obst, Davit Khutsishvili and avenging his only loss at that weight to Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov. In the finale, Dake again defeated Jabrayil Hasanov, on points, to claim his first World Championship.
In 2019, Dake was unable to defend his US World Team spot in June at Final X: Rutgers against Alex Dieringer due to a “freak accident” requiring surgery, postponing the wrestle-offs. Instead, he returned in July at the Grand Prix of Spain, winning after five matches. Dake also competed at his second World Championships, again defeating Jabrayil Hasanov from Azerbaijan to become a two-time World Champion.
Kyle Dake’s Road to Tokyo Olympics and Other Achievements
In 2020, Dake moved to 74 kilograms to attempt to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He won the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series championships. He was scheduled for the US Olympic Team Trials in April 4-5, however, the event and Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Dake defeated David McFadden at the SCRTC I on January 8 and won gold at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane. At the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials in April 2-3, without a seed as a non-Olympic weight World Champion, he advanced to face former rival and five-time Olympic/World Champion Jordan Burroughs, defeating him to end Burroughs’ nine-year reign.
Dake also won the Pan American Continental Championships on May 30, racking up 40 points against four opponents without being scored upon, helping USA win all 10 freestyle medals. On August 5, Dake competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics men’s 74kg freestyle as a favorite for gold, despite his usual 79kg weight class.
In 2022, Dake’s first event was defending his Pan American Championship on May 8, beating Franklin Gómez. On September 17, at the World Championships in Belgrade, Dake won his second straight 74kg world title and fourth overall, defeating Tajmuraz Salkazanov of Slovakia 3-2 in the finals.
In 2023, Dake has remained at 74kg this Olympic cycle, winning two more World golds. He lost to Russian star Zaurbek Sidakov in the 2023 Senior World finals. Ranked #1 at 74kg/163lbs this year, Dake became Pan American champion again, at the 36th edition held May 3-7 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
