Isaiah Martinez

Isaiah Alexander Martinez (born September 2, 1994) is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler who competes at 79 kilograms.

In freestyle, Martinez is a two-time US Open National champion (three-time finalist) and was the 2017 US U23 World Team Member.

As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a two-time NCAA Division I National champion (four-time finalist) and a four-time Big Ten Conference champion.

Martinez was born and raised in Lemoore, California.

He started wrestling at a young age and became a three-time CIF champion and four-time placer with a 205–7 record as a high schooler at Lemoore High School.

Martinez attended the University of Illinois to wrestle as a collegiate athlete.

Redshirt; Compiled a 13–2 record during the season (7–0 at open tournaments) and placed fourth at Midlands.

Freshman; Midlands and Roadrunner Open undefeated champion during regular season.

Won the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA championship with notable wins over Dylan Ness, James Green, Nick Brascetta and Brian Realbuto, being the first one to win the championship as an undefeated freshman since Cael Sanderson (99').

Sophomore; Posted a 17–1 record at duals with lone loss to future three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf and became the Reno TOC champion during regular season.

Won the Big Ten Conference title while avenging his regular season's loss to Jason Nolf.

At the NCAA's, he defeated #3 ranked Ian Miller and top-ranked Jason Nolf for the second time to claim the championship.

Junior; Bumped up a weight class and competed at 165 pounds.

He became the UNI Open & Midlands champion and compiled an 11–0 record at duals, ending regular season unbeaten.

Became a three-time Big Ten Conference champion and entered as the top-seeded wrestler at the NCAA championships.

At the tournament, he made his way to the finale in where he faced Vincenzo Joseph, whom he was 2-0 prior to the match.

He lost by fall and claimed runner-up honors.

Senior; Compiled a record of 11–0 at dual matches in regular season.

Became the sixteenth wrestler to ever win four Big Ten Conference championships when he beat Vincenzo Joseph at the finale of the tournament, also entering as the top-ranked seed at the NCAA championships.

He defeated four opponents on his way to the finale, in which he faced Vincenzo Joseph for the fifth time in their collegiate career and lost for the second time, claiming once again runner-up honors.

Overall, Martinez is a two-time NCAA champion, four-time NCAA finalist, and four-time Big Ten Conference champion, which makes him the most accomplished Fighting Illini in the history of the wrestling team.

As a youth level wrestler, Martinez was a Junior National runner-up and Junior Fargo National champion in both, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Martinez made his senior freestyle debut at the University National Championships.

He defeated all of his opponents by technical fall until the best of three, where he won on points and then by technical fall to win the championship.

A year later, he competed at the Last Chance Qualifier for the World Team Trials.

He defeated three opponents, outscoring them 34-1 and qualifying for the World Team Trials Challenge tournament.

There, he passed the quarterfinals with a technical fall win but subsequently lost to four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake on points and faced three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer at the true second match.

He also lost the bout by points, placing third at the World Team Trials Challenge.

After failing to make the World Team, Martinez, who was 23 years old at the time, competed at the U23 World Team Trials.

He defeated his opponent on points twice and earned his shot at the U23 World Championships.

At the U23 World Championships, he was defeated in the first round by the eventual winner of the championship Gadzhi Nabiev and was thrown to the consolation bracket.

There, he defeated two opponents by technical fall and performed at the bronze medal match, where he was defeated by technical fall himself, placing fifth.

In his first freestyle competition of the year, Martinez attended the US Open.

He defeated his first opponent by fall and the other four by technical fall, without getting scored once through the tournament and winning the championship.

After winning the US Open, Martinez automatically advanced to the best-of-three finals of the World Team Trials Challenge.

He defeated three-time NCAA Division III champion Nazar Kulchytskyy twice by technical fall and advanced to Final X. At Final X: Lincoln, he faced Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion Jordan Burroughs in a best-of-three.

He lost the first match by points and the second by technical fall.

He then competed in his first non-world championship international tournament at the senior level, the Medved Prizes.

He defeated two opponents to advance to the semifinals but was beaten on points.

At the bronze medal match, he defeated his opponent 11 points to 2, claiming the bronze medal.