LAS VEGAS, NEV. History repeated itself in the desert last week as Arseni Kikiniou (POWR) proved once again why he is one of the most versatile young prospects in the nation. For the second year in a row, Kikiniou captured titles in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle, securing a rare “double” at the U17 World Team Trials and cementing his status as a dual-threat force.

While Kikiniou punched his ticket to Baku, the California contingent showed incredible depth, led by a gritty runner-up performance from Paul Ruiz and multiple “double” All-American honors.

The Kikiniou Standard: Two Styles, One Result

Fresh off his Greco-Roman title and Outstanding Wrestler honors, Kikiniou transitioned seamlessly to the Freestyle mats. He tore through the early rounds with his trademark dominance, setting up a best-of-three championship series.

In the finals, Kikiniou showcased his ability to win in different ways. He ground out a tight 4-3 decision in the opening match before closing the door with a tactical 6-0 shutout in the second. With the sweep, he earns the right to represent Team USA in both styles this summer in Azerbaijan.

Ruiz Shocks the Bracket, Falls Just Short

At 60 KG, Paul Ruiz (STC) put together one of the most impressive runs of the tournament. Ruiz turned heads in the early rounds, most notably knocking off 2025 16U Freestyle National Champion Angel Cejudo Jr. in a 6-3 thriller to reach the finals.

The championship series was a back-and-forth war. Ruiz drew first blood, taking the opening match 9-6 and putting himself one win away from a world team berth. However, his opponent adjusted, taking the final two matches 11-3 and 4-1. While Ruiz narrowly missed the team, his performance established him as a premier name to watch on the national circuit.

California’s Iron Men: Double All-Americans

Wrestling both styles at this level is a grueling physical test, but two members of the Silvaback Training Center rose to the occasion. Sebastian Gutierrez and Thiago Silva both secured “Double All-American” status by placing in the top eight in both the Greco-Roman and Freestyle divisions.

Freestyle Place Winners:

48 KG: Sebastian Gutierrez (Silvaback Training Center) – 7th Place

51 KG: Michael Bernabe (Dethrone Wrestling Club) – 3rd Place

55 KG: Thiago Silva (Silvaback Training Center) – 5th Place

60 KG: Paul Ruiz (STC) – 2nd Place

65 KG: Arseni Kikiniou (POWR) – CHAMPION

80 KG: Jesus Guzman (TSCW) – 7th Place

Next Stop: The World Stage

With the domestic trials concluded, all eyes turn toward international soil. Kikiniou will lead the charge for the U.S. delegation at the 2026 U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, running from July 27 to August 2.

After a bronze-medal performance in 2025, Kikiniou returns to the world stage with twice the momentum and the experience of a veteran. California wrestling continues to leave a massive footprint on the national landscape, and this summer, that footprint extends to Baku.

Photo Credit: Tony Rotundo