A SACRED HONOR AND SHARED CALLING: Few partnerships carry the weight of history, the power of transformation, and the promise of a brighter future, like the bond between RUDIS and USA Wrestling. In uniting with USA Wrestling, RUDIS embraces a shared mission to honor the past and build the future of wrestling. Together, RUDIS and USA Wrestling stand poised to shape the next chapter of the sport we all love—a chapter that pays tribute to wrestling’s storied history while pushing its boundaries to new heights.
Wrestling’s history is rich with stories of resilience, sacrifice, and triumph. This partnership is a tribute to those who came before us, paving the way for this sport to thrive. Wrestling is more than the greatest sport on earth; it is a way of life. Representing it alongside our nation is a privilege beyond measure.
“In my decades around this sport, I have never seen a partnership with greater potential to elevate wrestling,” said Nancy Schultz, RUDIS Partner and Global Wrestling Advocate. “With USA Wrestling and RUDIS united, we have the strength, passion, and purpose to push the sport forward for generations to come.”
The responsibility we bear cannot be contained by words on paper. It is a sacred trust that compels us to bring our best—to embody the spirit of wrestling in all we do. “This moment is a profound honor and privilege for all of us at RUDIS,” said Jesse Leng, Co-Founder and CEO of RUDIS. “It calls us to be our best. Just as in wrestling, we must evolve every day to bring the best versions of ourselves in service of the community and the sport we love deeply and are so grateful to serve.”
As Rich Bender, Executive Director of USA Wrestling, expressed, “We stand at the precipice of the golden age of our sport, maybe the most significant four-year cycle in wrestling’s history. RUDIS and USA Wrestling are aligned to take the greatest sport to new and incredible heights.”
“USA Wrestling is excited to partner with RUDIS, a visionary leader in the wrestling community. Together, we look forward to serving USA Wrestling members and the entire wrestling community as we combine our efforts to raise the bar for our sport at all levels,” said Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling President.
Kyle Snyder, Olympic Champion and Team RUDIS athlete, shared his enthusiasm for this milestone, noting, “RUDIS and USA Wrestling were destined to be partners. This is a historic day in American wrestling history. I am so excited for the future.”
The collaboration also highlights a commitment to inclusivity and growth. “RUDIS has always supported athletes like me, and this partnership is a step toward even greater possibilities for women’s wrestling,” said Sarah Hildebrandt, Olympic Champion and Team RUDIS athlete.
Beyond its impact on athletes, this partnership demonstrates a shared vision for the future of wrestling. “The collaboration between RUDIS and USA Wrestling will strengthen the foundation of wrestling in the U.S. and beyond,” said Gary Abbott, Communications Director for USA Wrestling.
“I could not be more excited for this partnership. RUDIS and USA Wrestling share a vision and passion for the future of wrestling, and with both our forces moving in the same direction, the potential of our sport is unlimited,” said Aphten Sterling, Director of Development, USA Wrestling.
The strength of this partnership also lies in mutual respect and shared purpose. “The strength of this collaboration lies in the mutual respect and shared vision for growing the sport of wrestling,” said Cody Bickley, National Teams High-Performance Director for USA Wrestling. “Together, we are creating a foundation for the sport to flourish.”
Our team, united by humility, gratitude, perseverance, and belief, is just getting started. “This partnership is a testament to what’s possible when shared values and love for the sport come together,” said Alaina Hanson, COO of RUDIS. Together, RUDIS and USA Wrestling will continue to serve the sport with pride, appreciation, and unwavering commitment.
Thank you, wrestling, for making this possible.
Thank you, USA Wrestling, for sharing this journey.
ABOUT USA WRESTLING
USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body (NGB) for wrestling in the United States and the representative to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s international federation. It serves a membership of over 344,000 athletes, coaches, and officials, charters over 5,500 wrestling clubs, and sanctions over 2,400 wrestling tournaments annually. As the NGB for wrestling, USA Wrestling is also responsible for the selection of U.S. World and Olympic teams at multiple age levels in the Olympic disciplines of men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling, as well as Beach wrestling. USA Wrestling also provides extensive quality opportunities in folkstyle, the traditional style of wrestling in the United States. For more information, visit TheMat.com
