There is not a singular narrative, point of emphasis, or prevailing theme regarding Team USA during the Greco-Roman portion of the World Championships, which begins on Saturday in Astana, Kazakhstan. 

Texting with Max Nowry earlier today, who will represent the U.S. at 55 kilograms this weekend, I told him that, essentially, I could not discern an overarching topic with which to frame the roster’s presence at the tournament. His reply, of course sardonic in nature, was: “Hope the guys can score points — more points than their opponents.” 

I shot back my own version of his purposely-milquetoast response: “Points can be scored in a variety of ways, including via takedowns, step-outs, gutwrench maneuvers, and by countering the brazen attacks on the part of adversaries. Hopefully, the United States can seize on these methods more than their opposition.” 

So, that’s where we’re at. 

It is not that this edition of the World Championships is bereft of potentially interesting developments for the U.S. Nowry himself could be one of them. He had returned this past April from a near-four-year hiatus to win the World Team Trials and, aside from his having to manage his body a bit differently at 36, his candidacy for a medal in Astana is one to consider. Nowry placed fifth twice (in ‘19 and ‘22, respectively) and if he can physically feel anywhere close to how he felt in April, it’s hard to not see a deep run unfold for him — this despite the emerging talent which will be populating the 55 bracket. 

The Senior World debuts for Otto Black (67 kg, NYAC), Joel Adams (77 kg, Beaver Dam RTC), and Timothy Young (97 kg) are obviously part of the story. Since becoming a full-time Greco athlete following the pandemic, Young quickly rose to domestic contendership at 87 kg, had trouble breaking through, went up to 97, was disappointed in ‘25, but then captured the top spot at the April Trials. Although Young did gather some relevant experience as an age-grouper, the Senior international level has offered a learning curve for him that he has begun to grasp on an increasing basis. Watching how Young might be able to put it all together in this thing should be a priority for those willing to tune in. 

‘25 U23 World bronze Black is one of the U.S. program’s most promising athletes, thanks to his ability to mix up scoring attacks from the feet, deliver steely defense from bottom, and his penchant for yielding scores from top. 

Adams — a Cadet World champ in ‘22 — is a strong and dynamic competitor with loads of upside, particularly when standing. Both Black and Adams went 1-1 last week at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas, and both happen to operate in two of the sport’s most-packed weight categories. But you throw away the results from their most recent exploits. Black has provided plenty of evidence that he can hang with top international Seniors; Adams really hasn’t yet, but his skill set certainly suggests that he is capable of recording wins in Kazakhstan. 

The United States’ best weight class currently, from a domestic standpoint, is 87, which for ‘26 is being held down by ‘24 U23 World silver Beka Melelashvili. The issue is that 87 kg is big-time strength for a number of other nations, as well. Melelashvili eked past Olympian Payton Jacobson to commandeer this spot back in April and has performed quite well throughout the training block, punctuated by a nice bronze in Poland. Where Melelashvili is at his best can be found in the same areas where the majority of top 87’s are, namely the two phases of par terre. Melelashvili is a stout scorer from top par terre and defends, by and large, within the same margin as the field. A totally “switched-on” game from him will be necessary to have a shot at medaling given the depth here, so the one item you root for on his behalf is an uptick in aggression along with clutch defense when matches reach midway through the second period. Melelashvili is on par with some of the monsters in the bracket, but he has to be committed to the cause every second of every match in order to usurp them. 

“The Swarm” Dalton Roberts (60 kg, Army/WCAP), Xavier “X” Johnson (63 kg, Army/WCAP) and “Mr. Fantastic” Benji Peak (72 kg, NYAC/Position) are a suitably experienced triumvirate. Roberts (World Team #3) should not require an introduction. No one in the country has had a better work ethic and Roberts is one of only a couple on this roster who can “break” an opponent. 60 is perhaps the most skilled bracket each year at the Worlds and the dynamism involved is unequaled by virtually every other weight. Roberts competes by sticking to a steady, pulsating approach that is centered around angles, movement, and pressure. It can be unrelenting, but it also needs to be. 

Johnson — provided his cut is fine — can score big against most in his bracket. That has always been a feather in his cap. Johnson can punish people on the feet or bomb them from top. He has done this to domestic and foreign opponents alike, and should be seen as a wildcard in the event. Peak is the most classical of the three. Leverage, underhooks, a reliable leg drive, and an eye for corners matter for him, but not as much as his lift from top. For Peak to advance, taking advantage of his opportunities from top is a paramount directive because, in his case, par terre top is an especially advantageous position. 

And, finally, we have two of the most well-known American competitors in the tournament: Kamal Bey (Army/WCAP) and Cohlton Schultz (130 kg, Atreus WC). The stuff with Bey never really changes. It is always simple. Every tournament he enters — be it a World Championships or one held in your backyard — he is a threat to win the whole thing. You just don’t know. Few on the World Team can go on a run like Bey can, and no one else brings the arsenal Bey does. If anything, his weight class is more the story, yet not even pertaining to this year (i.e., will Bey go back down to 77 for the LA push or is he going to grow into 87?). As for this year’s concerns, and only this year, even with a lack of overseas competitive looks in ‘26, Kamal Bey is still a tremendous problem for anyone he might face in Kazakhstan. 

Schultz is not in too different a boat compared to Bey. Both have on occasion taken out either the best, or some of the best, international opponents in their respective weight categories. Schultz has recorded wins over several overseas opponents at 130 whom one might expect to be in the running. And, just as importantly to note, Schultz got himself in the Zagreb final this past winter and held his own against future hall of famer (and multi-time World champ) Riza Kayaalp of Turkey. The key is in the small details for the big man. Schultz’s footwork, mini off-balances, little pressure-releases, and knack for counter-scores (again, another item akin to Bey, in a sense) separate him from most heavies. As is always the underscore to Senior-level tournaments for every U.S. guy, defense is the name of the game. If Schultz can defend, or at least limit gashes from others, he is certainly an athlete who can find himself standing on the podium. 

Therefore, if there is any main topic surrounding the 2026 USA Greco-Roman World Team, it is that each athlete has his own story, his own customized interpretation of how he wants to attack, and degrees of experience vary. And though no World Championships is anything close to inconsequential, it might be worth mentioning that this is the last one of the quad that will be without something extra hanging in the balance. Next year in Vegas, Olympic qualification will be on the table, thus rendering the ‘26 tournament as good of an opportunity as any for the U.S. squad to assert themselves and come home with a renewed allotment of confidence in who they are as the Olympic cycle starts spinning up even more.