Iowa Guardsman Wins Gold at World Wrestling Championships

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Iowa National Guard Spc. Adaugo Nwachukwu captured gold at the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships Oct. 29, becoming the first U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program Soldier-athlete to win a world championship since 2005.

Nwachukwu won in a 12-11 thriller at 62 kilograms against two-time world champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Nonoka Ozaki of Japan.

"Her dedication, discipline and determination to compete at the highest level reflect the excellence and warrior spirit we see throughout our Army National Guard," said Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard.

Nwachukwu played an important part in helping Team USA secure its first world championship since 1999 by edging powerhouse Japan, 137-135.

"I have a saying: 'We're not here to take part. We're here to take over,'" said Bruce Robinson, Army WCAP women's freestyle coach who assisted Team USA. "I say it jokingly, but at the same time, I'm not joking because I know the potential these women have. When they come into this program and develop the mindset that comes with being part of the military, it adds another layer to what they're capable of doing."

Nwachukwu's success at the senior world championships also highlights the opportunities WCAP offers aspiring leaders who want to compete at the international and Olympic level while serving the nation.

"The success has elevated the program," Robinson said. "Everybody's talking about WCAP now. I've gotten so many texts and messages from college coaches and wrestlers saying, 'WCAP is killing it. What are you all doing?' They see that WCAP produced two of the three finalists. Not everybody can say that. The entire year has been incredible, from having Pan American champions to having six make the finals at the U.S. Open."

The championship culture fostered under Robinson and assistant Nate Engel hasn't escaped Terry Steiner, head women's freestyle wrestling coach for Team USA.

"They really transformed the program, and I'm glad to have Army WCAP as part of Team USA," said Steiner, who has served as Team USA's coach since 2004. "I can't say enough about their leadership and what they have done."

Nwachukwu, the third seed, opened her tournament with two straight victories by technical superiority - defined as victories by a margin greater than 10 points - against Turkey's Sevim Akbas and Sweden's Sara Lindborg.

Nwachukwu beat Bulgaria's Bilyana Dudova, ranked second in the world, 5-2 to punch her ticket to her first senior world final.

In the final, Nwachukwu stormed out to a 4-0 lead and led 9-4 at one point, but Ozaki scored seven straight points. Nwachukwu, who earned a silver medal in the Under-23 world championships almost two weeks ago in Las Vegas, overcame fatigue to score a takedown in the waning seconds.

The victory capped off a remarkable two weeks for Nwachukwu.

"I knew with U23 worlds and senior worlds so close together that I had signed up for a challenge," Nwachukwu said. "Obviously, U23s didn't go the way I wanted, but I had to leave that in the past. I knew I could win at that level, and I knew I was capable of winning senior worlds. I just kept telling myself to let go of the past and wrestle like it was my last opportunity."

Nwachukwu exemplifies serving her country, competing at the highest level and accomplishing great things, Engel said.

Nwachukwu stressed it's a privilege to compete at the highest level while serving.

"Whenever I'm working with kids, I tell them how fortunate I am to be able to do what I love while serving my country," Nwachukwu said. "The Army provides countless opportunities."