As the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle echoes through The Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, freshman Walker Martin rises from the mat after defeating his final opponent. Winning this match gave him the 2026 U.S. Open Wrestling Champion title in the 52 kg 15U Greco-Roman wrestling division. Additionally, Martin placed seventh in the 52 kg 15U freestyle wrestling division.
“Walker is excellent in Olympic-style wrestling,” Martin’s coach Gary Baker said. “Walker specializes in Greco-Roman (wrestling), and we knew he was really good.”
Greco-Roman wrestling is a style of wrestling that limits wrestlers to using their upper bodies to attack their opponent. In contrast, freestyle wrestling allows wrestlers to use both their upper and lower body to attack. Both styles are a part of Olympic-style wrestling. Martin began wrestling at age five after a neighbor who wrestled inspired him to try the sport. When he is not preparing for a tournament, he practices five times a week at various wrestling clubs such as the PA Greco Factory. Leading up to tournaments like the 2026 U.S. Open Wrestling Championship, his first U.S. Open, Martin cuts weight by eating healthy and running. Prior to his first-place finish at the tournament, he captured a youth state title in seventh grade, and this year in the PIAA 3A boys’ wrestling tournament, he placed first at districts and third at regionals.
“I had a pretty good season this year. I went 41 and six, ultimately not placing in states, which was kind of upsetting, but I was able to bounce back and win the U.S. Open,” Martin said.
Martin also recently participated in the Pennsylvania USA Wrestling State Championship held from May 15–17 at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre in State College, Pennsylvania. Competing in a new age bracket, he won first in the 16U 120 lbs Greco-Roman division and placed fifth in the 16U 120 lbs freestyle division.
Martin’s performance in the U.S. Open Wrestling Championships qualified him to represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico from July 23–26. He earned his spot by receiving 10 points for his first-place finish in the Greco-Roman wrestling division and an additional two points for placing seventh in the freestyle wrestling division. Typically, one wrestler per weight class and style combination is selected to represent the U.S. at the Pan American Games. Since Martin achieved the highest total number of points and won first place in the Greco-Roman wrestling division, he was able to secure his spot in the Pan American Games.
“There are a lot of competitors from Puerto Rico, Cuba and (other) Central American and South American countries that are really, really good, so (the Pan American Games) is going to be very competitive. But it’s, again, another chance for Walker to showcase himself to the wrestling world and to college coaches,” Baker said.
Next year, Martin will compete in the 17U division for wrestling while also moving up to a heavier weight class. Martin looks forward to competing in more tournaments throughout high school and in college.
“It’s always so fun having good teammates and wrestling in college is going to be fun,” Martin said. “I just love wrestling matches and everything.”
Sophia Wu can be reached at [email protected].
