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Yianni Diakomihalis, 4x NCAA Freestyle Wrestling National Champion, tells TMZ Sports there is a distinct chance he will get into MMA … BUT, not earlier than he makes a run on the United States Olympic crew, the place he is gunning for gold!
23-year-old Diakomihalis is with out exaggeration one of the vital adorned collegiate wrestlers of all time, turning into simply the fifth competitor to win the title 4 instances. The query now has turn out to be … what’s subsequent?
“It’s a super time, right, coming off a really big milestone in my life and now I have a lot of opportunities presented to me. Obviously, for me, that ultimate goal of being Olympic champ is right in front of me. That’s the big thing on my mind right now,” Yianni informed us.
Diakomihalis continued, explaining the non-public significance of the Olympics.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little kid like that, and it’s something that I don’t think I could turn away from and go compete in something else.”
FYI, Yianni gained the NCAA title at 141 lbs. in 2018 and 2019. After a redshirt season, he gained the title at 149 lbs. in 2022 and 2023.
The subsequent Summer Games are in 2024 in France … the place Yianni hopes he’ll signify the USA.
We requested him if he was contemplating transitioning to MMA after the 2024 Games.
“I got a ton of respect for a guy who makes a living getting in there and getting punched in the face. That’s an incredibly difficult and tough thing to do. It’s one of those things that sounds super cool, sounds like it would be fun to try. I can’t imagine not pursuing [the Olympics]. Who knows what’s gonna happen in the future, what might change, but right now that’s what’s really at the forefront of my mind.”
Of course, we have seen uber-successful wrestlers like Henry Cejudo (Olympic gold medal winner), Bo Nickal (3x NCAA champ), and others who’ve efficiently transitioned from wrestling to MMA. On the opposite hand, a wrestling star like Jordan Burroughs opted to by no means take a punch or kick to the face in a cage.
We additionally talked to the 4x champ, politics apart, about President Donald Trump attending the NCAA Finals … and YD believes it is a huge plus for the game, because it’s bringing new eyeballs to freestyle wrestling.
Only 490 days till Opening Ceremony … and you understand the place Yianni plans to be that day! 🥇
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