On June 19 in Newark, New Jersey, James Green, a veteran with over a decade of senior level experience, will do something for the first time in his career: compete against David Carr. The two-time World medalist is vying for his eighth spot on a US World Team but his first up at 74 kg, and to do it, he'll have to take on returning World teamer David Carr who narrowly missed medaling at last year's World Championships.

The matchup represents a fascinating clash of generations. Green brings over a decade of Senior-level international success and experience, while Carr enters as one of the nation's premier young stars looking to cement his place atop the weight class.

Key Credentials

James Green

• 2017 World Silver Medalist
• 2015 World Bronze Medalist
• Seven-time U.S. Senior World Team member
• 2025 U.S. Open Champion at 74 kg
• Four-time All-American for Nebraska

David Carr

• Fifth place at the 2025 World Championships
• 2025 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Champion
• Two-time NCAA Champion for Iowa State
• 2022 U23 World Team Member
• 2019 Junior World Champ
• 2016 Cadet World Bronze Medalist

The Veteran Returns

James Green won his first World medal all the way back in 2015, a year before Carr made his first Cadet World Team. He earned World bronze in 2015 in Las Vegas before reaching the World Championship finals in 2017, ultimately claiming a silver medal. For years, he was a fixture on U.S. national teams and one of the country's most consistent international performers.

James Green's first World medal match in 2015

After retiring from competition in 2022, Green returned to wrestling in 2024, fresh off a hip replacement, and has steadily worked his way back into title contention. This season marks his first full campaign at 74 kg, a move that has already paid dividends.

Green secured his Final X berth by winning the U.S. Open in April, navigating a deep field and showing flashes of the dynamic offense that made him one of America's most dangerous freestyle wrestlers during his prime. His combination of dynamic offense and big-match experience makes him a serious threat despite his time away from elite competition.

The biggest question surrounding Green is whether he can sustain that level against one of the best young wrestlers in the world across a potentially grueling three-match series.

Carr Looking to Build on Breakthrough Season

While Green is attempting to reclaim a spot atop the national ladder, David Carr is looking to prove that last year's success was only the beginning.

Carr made his first U.S. Senior World Team in 2025 and immediately demonstrated he belonged among the world's elite. At the World Championships, he finished fifth, narrowly missing the medal stand after competitive losses to two of the sport's biggest stars.

His first defeat came in a tight 7-5 quarterfinal agaisnt Cherman Valiev, Albania's World silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist. He then dropped a bronze medal criteria bout to three-time World champion and Olympic gold medalist Zaurbek Sidakov of Russia.

David Carr vs Zaurbek Sidakov for World Bronze

Those performances established Carr as a legitimate medal contender on the international stage and one of America's brightest hopes at 74 kg.

However, his path back to Final X this year was far from smooth. At the U.S. Open, Carr endured a surprisingly difficult tournament, suffering losses to Michigan and Oklahoma State All-American Cam Amine and Penn State backup Joe Sealey. That performance forced Carr into the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament where he won several tight battles to punch his ticket to Final X.

Generational Showdown

The matchup presents a compelling contrast in styles and circumstances.

Green possesses a significant edge in Senior-level experience. He has wrestled on the biggest stages in the sport, competed in World finals, and understands the adjustments required in a best-of-three series. Few American wrestlers can match the veteran savvy he brings to the mat. He's also extremely tough to score on and has dangerous leg attacks and a deadly leg lace.

Carr, meanwhile, enters with the advantage of recent international success. While Green is still proving he can consistently compete at an elite level after his return, Carr spent last season going toe-to-toe with the world's best and nearly came away with a World medal.

One of the biggest storylines will be how Green handles Carr's physicality over the course of the series. At 33 years old and competing in his first season at 74 kg, Green will need to manage both the pace and the cumulative wear of multiple matches against a younger opponent.

For Carr, the challenge will be avoiding the inconsistency that surfaced during the U.S. Open. If the version of Carr that wrestled at the World Championships shows up, he may be one of the toughest Americans to beat at any weight. But if the struggles from April resurface, Green has the experience and offensive firepower to capitalize.

Prediction

This series feels much closer than it might have appeared six months ago.

Carr's World Championship performance gives him the strongest recent credential, but Green's resurgence and U.S. Open title proved that he remains a legitimate contender at the highest level. The veteran's experience should allow him to keep every match competitive, but Carr's recent exposure to elite international competition may ultimately prove decisive.

Expect a hard-fought series that just might require all three matches before a winner emerges.

Prediction: David Carr defeats James Green, 2-0 in two close bouts to earn a return trip to the World Championships.