Otto Black (67 kg, NYAC/NTS) continued what has been one of the most startling 12 months for a young United States Greco-Roman athlete in recent years by coming away with his second-consecutive victory at a U20 World Team selection tournament.
On Friday at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, Black fought through a highly-competitive 67 kilogram bracket before downing gifted age-group competitor Pierson Manville (Atreus WC) in the best-of-three championship final.
All was not smooth sailing for the explosive Black. Following technical superiority wins over Tanner Frothinger (Brunson UVRTC) and Brandon Dean (Betterman Elite), respectively, Black was tested in the semifinal by fellow top prospect (and soon-to-be NMU teammate) Amryn Nutter (Combat WC) in a match that ended 6-1, with the majority of the former’s points coming in the second frame. Last month, Black fell to Nutter’s older brother, Alston Nutter (Army/WCAP) in the Senior World Team Trials.
In the three-match finals series, Black defeated Manville in lopsided fashion (11-1 VSU) to secure the opener but was forced to persevere in the second bout and ultimately prevailed 7-5.
Since last summer, Black has been one of the most talked-about Greco-Roman wrestlers in America, this despite his young age. In addition to being courted by numerous NCAA Division I colleges, he scorched his way to the U20 World Championships final in ’24 and wound up with silver. In the fall of ’24, Black — who at the time was a collegiate “grey shirt” and University of Iowa commit — earned bronze at the Haparanda Cup in Sweden and gold at the Haavisto Cup in Finland, both of which are Senior Greco-Roman tournaments. For his efforts, Black was voted as 5PM’s Impact Performer of the year.
But it was only a little over a month ago when the perception of his Greco-Roman career really skyrocketed. A week after the Senior World Team Trials, where he had advanced to the final against Alston Nutter, Black changed course and decided to forgo college folkstyle wrestling by enrolling at Northern Michigan University. It should also be mentioned that, by virtue of his holding Senior National Team status, Black is qualified for not one, but two World Championships this year. In addition to having just earned his spot on the U20 World Team, he is also in place to get the start for the US at the U23 World Championships come October in Serbia.
Listen to “5PM57: Kamal Bey and David Stepanyan” on Spreaker.
Listen to “5PM56: Rich Carlson and Spencer Woods” on Spreaker.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FIVE POINT MOVE PODCAST
iTunes | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Play Music
