EAST LANSING – Michigan State redshirt junior wrestler Peyton Omania will represent the United States at the 2022 U23 World Championships. The competition is organized and sponsored by United World Wrestling, the highest governing body of wrestling in the world. 

Omania is one of America’s premier wrestlers on the world stage. He won two-straight U23 National crowns and won a bronze medal at the 2019 Junior Worlds in the Greco-Roman championship. 

“I’m just working on being present and enjoying the opportunities,” Omania said. “It’s not just about wrestling, it’s about coming halfway around the world and meeting new people and building relationships…this is truly something special.” 

Omania claimed the 67kg gold medal at the 2020 U23 Greco-Roman championships in Omaha, Nebraska. Omania became the first Spartan wrestler to earn a World medal since Franklin Gomez took silver in the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul. 

“I am very much excited for Peyton as he represents the United States, Michigan State, and himself on the world stage,” MSU wrestling head coach Roger Chandler said. “The biggest thing for him is that he has to have fun out there and embrace the moment. If he does that, then great things are going to happen for him over the next couple of days.”

Assistant coach Chirs Williams feels Omania is prepared and admires his work ethic. 

“Peyton is a fierce competitor,” Williams said. “He loves to compete, and it really doesn’t matter what style.” 

Omania will wrestle in the 67kg Greco-Roman class and will compete at the Pavillon Municipal dos Deportes de Pontevedra in Spain on Tuesday, Oct. 18. He will begin at 4:30 a.m. EST against Aleksander Mielewczyck of Poland, and will compete throughout the day, pending advancement.