Airing on FloWrestling.com, the three-event series will determine 10 men’s and 10 women’s freestyle World Team members to compete in the 2018 World Championships
AUSTIN, Texas — January 16, 2018 — Today FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, and USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, announced a partnership to launch a new competition, Final X. FloWrestling will provide exclusive live and on-demand coverage of the three-event series that will determine the 2018 U.S. Senior World Teams in men’s and women’s freestyle.
During Final X, the top men’s and women’s freestyle wrestlers will compete in a best-of-three series, earning spots on the U.S. Senior World Team and the opportunity to compete at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Oct. 20-28, 2018. Final X will be held over three consecutive weekends and in three different cities.
USA Wrestling has determined which weight classes will be held on each specific date. Details on the host cities will be announced at a later date.
June 9, 2018
- Men’s freestyle weight classes (57 kg, 70 kg, 74 kg, 97 kg)
- Women’s freestyle weight classes (55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg)
June 16, 2018
- Men’s freestyle weight classes (65 kg, 79 kg, 86 kg)
- Women’s freestyle weight classes (62 kg, 72 kg, 76 kg)
June 23, 2018
- Men’s freestyle weight classes (61 kg, 92 kg, 125 kg)
- Women’s freestyle weight classes (50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg)
“Final X is not just an event series but a status,” FloSports co-founder and CEO Martin Floreani said. “Only the best American wrestlers of our generation make it to Final X, and those that become Final X have the opportunity to represent the most glorious country on earth.”
“We are confident that this new process will provide the opportunity to showcase these fantastic athletes and create excitement around their very important pursuit,” USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender said. “We are grateful to Mike Novogratz, Xander Schultz and Matt Novogratz for their vision and passion to help develop this concept. With our partners at FloWrestling, we believe Final X will become a foundational platform to elevate attention for wrestling and its outstanding competitors.”
In men’s freestyle, 2017 Senior World medalists who return at the same weight class will advance directly to Final X, based upon approved Team Selection procedures. In women’s freestyle, the 2017 Senior World medalists may advance directly to Final X if they compete in a specific weight class determined in the approved Team Selection procedures. Visit TheMat.com to review the Team Selection procedures.
In weight classes which do not have a 2017 World medalist who qualifies for Final X directly, the winner of the 2018 U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26-28, will advance to Final X.
The Final X field will be finalized at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament for men’s and women’s freestyle, set for Rochester, Minn., May 18-20. The winner in each weight class in Rochester will advance to Final X as the second athlete in the best-of-three series at that weight.
The 2018 U.S. Open and the 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament both will air live and on-demand only on FloWrestling.com.
FloWrestling is the leader in showcasing elite wrestling events, offering fans across the world access to live and on-demand coverage of hundreds of competitions per year. Additionally, FloWrestling provides comprehensive wrestling content, including original documentaries, technique videos, athlete rankings, breaking news, studio shows, podcasts and more.
The United States was the 2017 World Team champions in men’s freestyle wrestling, and was the 2017 World Team runner-up in women’s freestyle.
For more information, visit Finalx.tv and TheMat.com.
About FloSports
FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, partners with event rights holders and governing bodies to unlock a world of sports coverage that true fans have been waiting for. Through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, and weekly studio shows, FloSports is growing the sports, the events, the athletes and the fans. Current verticals under the FloSports header are Basketball, MMA, Football, Wrestling, Track, Gymnastics and more.
About USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the sport of wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. USA Wrestling has more than 232,000 members, including athletes, coaches, officials, parents, fans and others who are actively involved in the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender.