Oklahoma wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson paid tribute to President Donald Trump after a spectacular upset at the NCAA Championship Saturday night.
Former Air Force wrestler and current deputy EU, Hendrickson shared a patriotic moment with the commander sitting on the mat when he won the heavyweight title by beating Minnesota's Gable Steveson 5-3.
He salutes as a packed crowd inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia recited “America, America.”
Covered by the American flag, Hendrickson shook his hand and quickly hugged the 47th president.
“He said he was very proud of me,” the 24-year-old said after his match. An interview with ESPN.
“He came here to support the military. I held a show for him. I wanted that national title,” the 24-year-old added.
The commander arrived at a loud crowd as he entered the arena.
He was accompanied by Chief Elon Musk of Dodge and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
“The commander is right there. I was really excited to have him here,” Hendrickson said at a post-game press conference.
Hendrickson competed under the nickname “Captain America” after four years of success at the Air Force Academy.
Unable to use his fifth year qualification in the Air Force, he sought permission from the Service Academy to move on to “Covid Year” and later joined the Oklahoma wrestling program.
His last college match pitted him in the men's freestyle 125kg class, a two-time national champion and 2020 Olympic gold medalist.
The Indiana native was in control of the match when Hendrickson changed course for the match.
The cowboy controlled Steveson's right leg and jumped over him, pushing the two towards the edge of the mat.
Hendrickson won a three-point takedown and stayed above Steveson for the final seconds.
Hendrickson is an active second class diatribe EU in the Air Force and has not yet been forced to head directly into military service.
According to Oklahoma State Athletics, Air Force authorization allowed Hendrickson to compete at the 2028 Olympics for training with Cowboy RTC after graduation, post-graduation and post-graduation. Blog pistol fire.
Once he retires from wrestling, Hendrickson begins a five-year forced commitment to the Air Force.
“I'm going to make a career out of the military regardless,” Hendrickson said. “This is just a part of my journey.”
