PJ Duke is currently the #2 overall recruit in the class of 2025 and will carry with him incredible expectations to Penn State next year. Duke is fresh off winning a loaded bracket at the US Open in the 70 kg U20 division, and will now attempt to make the senior world team. Duke has entered a loaded 70 kg bracket at the upcoming World Team Trials on May 16-17 and should be considered one of the favorites to stand atop the podium.

PJ Duke’s Elite Senior Level Results

PJ Duke is only 18 years old, but he already has the senior-level wins of an established veteran. After winning a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships last Summer, Duke entered the senior world team trials in late September. There, Duke placed third with victories over Jarrett Jacques (8-3), Will Lewan (5-2), and Yahya Thomas (5-1) while only losing to Alec Pantaleo (7-0). 

Two months later, Duke wrestled at the 2024 Bill Farrell Memorial and brought home a gold medal with another impressive performance. In the semifinals, Duke pinned three-time All-American Bryce Andonian in the first period while leading 10-2. Then in the finals, Duke again defeated Will Lewan - this time extending his margin of victory to 10-4. In those two tournaments, Duke has established himself as one of the best 70 kg wrestlers in the country and is currently ranked #3 in our men’s freestyle domestic rankings - he sits behind only Yianni Diakomihalis and James Green. 

Duke's wins at the 2024 Bill Farrell:

Duke’s Competition At The WTT

As mentioned above, 70 kg is one of the deepest weights at the World Team Trials this year. At the time this article was written, there are 10 total entries - check them out below with some of their credentials:

• James Green - 4-time All-American, 2-time World Medalist, 7-time world team member
• Caleb Henson - NCAA Champion, 3-time All-American
• Ridge Lovett - NCAA Champion, 3-time All-American
• Antrell Taylor - NCAA Champion, 2-time All-American
• Bryce Andonian - 3-time All-American, U20 World Bronze Medalist
• Will Lewan - 2-time All-American, U17 World Champion
• Brayton Lee - All-American
• Ian Parker - 4-time NCAA Qualifier, 3rd at the 2025 US Open
• Jackson Arrington - 2-time NCAA Qualifier, 7th at the 2025 US Open
• PJ Duke - U20 World Bronze Medalist

It’s important to note that the winner of this stacked bracket will qualify for Final X and wrestle Yianni Diakomihalis on June 14 in a best-of-three series for the 70 kg world team spot. 

Can PJ Duke Beat James Green?

Even with the accomplished bracket, PJ Duke will be considered a favorite by many to reach the finals. Duke has already shown he can beat top contenders like Andonian and Lewan, but now the question is - can he beat James Green?

Though Duke is young, his style is built upon his incredible power, which has translated phenomenally to the senior level. With a judo background, Duke has a variety of attacks where he uniquely combines throws, trips, and ankle-picks. Duke generates several points in a hurry, and I believe he has the power and offense to challenge Green. 

If Duke does defeat Green, it would be quite the statement. Green has been the standard of the 70 kg weight class in the United States and has made 7 world teams from 2015-2024. Green is also a two-time world medalist, winning bronze in 2015 and silver in 2017. Green also has an incredible career hitlist that includes wins over world champions Zain Retherford and Frank Chamizo, along with victories over several world medalists. However, James Green is 32 years old and likely approaching the end of his freestyle career. If there was ever a time for Duke to beat Green, it’s now.