The rumors that Kyle Dake would not be wrestling at Final X: Rutgers are now confirmed. Dake posted on his instagram today that he would request a delayed wrestle-off for the 79kg world team spot.

At this time we do not know when the wrestle-off will occur. Options include an event like Fargo in July or perhaps at a world team camp in August.

The defending world champ has not competed since the world championships in October. Winning a world medal afforded him the opportunity to request a delayed wrestle-off. He will still have to face World Team Trials champ Alex Dieringer to win the 79kg spot for this year.

Per the official team selection criteria:

Only a 2018 world medalist who earned an automatic berth into the Final X may request a medical delay for competing in the Final Wrestle-Off.

Beyond that: Wrestle-offs must occur before the departure for the 2019 World Team Acclimation Camp. The release from USA Wrestling can be found here.