LAS VEGAS, NV • Unlike many people who head out to Vegas, Kennedy Blades traveled with confidence and the sole intent on winning, and that is exactly what she did. In a US Open that watched the returning Olympic silver medalist at 76kg come in and wrestle one Olympic weight lighter than her previous four years, Blades looked extremely comfortable and nothing less than dominant as she outscored her opponents, 33-0.
For Blades, who cruised through her bracket and was awarded with the CLAW Most Exciting Wrestler Award, she will now sit in the World Team Trials championship match at Final X, where she will await the winner of the WTT Challenge Tournament that takes place on May 16-17. Once this wrestler has worked through the field, Blades and her opponent will wrestle in a best-of-three series that will determine the 64kg 2025 World Team member for the United States.
As of now, the smart money is on Blades. But remember, prior to last season, Blades used to be that one wrestler in the WTT Challenge Tournament looking to break through and knock off the best at the weight—and little by little, one by one, that is exactly what she did. Is that person out there? Possibly. Or, right now, possibly not. Either way, for someone to take out Blades, it will take more than one good move or one good match. After this past weekend’s performance, it appeared that Blades is in full control of the weight, and she gave no signs of letting up or allowing anyone else to stick around.
Final X will take place on June 14th, inside of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The winner of Final X will compete at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, this September.
Here is a look at Blades’ Open:
RD.01 • Bye
QTR-F • defeated Alexandr Lopez, Menlo Wrestling Club • TS, 13-0 (1:12)
SEM-F • defeated Noelle Gaffney, New Jersey • TS, 10-0 (2:24)
FINALS • defeated Solin Piearcy, USOPTC/TMWC • TS, 10-0 (3:49)
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• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
