Zahid Valencia is an American freestyle wrestler and former collegiate folkstyle wrestler. Born on May 11, 1997, he is 29 years old as of July 2026 and competes internationally at 86 kilograms.

Valencia established himself at Arizona State University, winning consecutive NCAA Division I championships at 174 pounds in 2018 and 2019. He later transferred that success to international freestyle wrestling, earning a World Championship bronze medal at 92 kilograms in 2023.

His most significant international result came in 2025, when he won the 86-kilogram world title without conceding a point during the tournament.

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Zahid Valencia Profile Summary

Zahid Valencia Early Life and Background

Zahid Valencia was born in Pico Rivera, California. He attended St. John Bosco High School from 2011 to 2015 and developed into one of the leading wrestlers in his recruiting class.

Valencia won three California Interscholastic Federation state championships during his high school career. He also captured four Walsh Jesuit Ironman titles, a notable achievement at one of the most competitive high school wrestling tournaments in the United States.

His documented high school record included 158 victories, 100 pins, and 12 technical falls. His only state-tournament defeat came during his sophomore season, when he finished third.

Valencia received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and the Junior Hodge Trophy in 2015. He committed to Arizona State University alongside his brother Anthony Valencia, who also competed for the Sun Devils.

Zahid Valencia Relationship and Net Worth

Zahid Valencia has not publicly confirmed a spouse or current partner through widely recognized sports profiles or institutional biographies. His relationship status should therefore be treated as private.

Valencia’s net worth has also not been established by authoritative financial reporting. Reliable information about his wrestling income, sponsorship agreements, assets, or career earnings is not publicly available.

Figures published by unsourced celebrity-finance websites should not be presented as verified estimates. Without financial disclosures or documented contract information, assigning Valencia a specific net worth would be speculative.

Zahid Valencia Career and Professional Journey

Zahid Valencia’s Arizona State Career

Valencia joined the Arizona State wrestling program in 2015. He competed as a redshirt during his first season before entering the Sun Devils’ regular lineup at 174 pounds.

In the 2016–17 season, Valencia won the Pac-12 championship and reached the NCAA semifinals as the top seed. He lost a close match to Penn State’s Mark Hall but recovered to finish third, securing his first NCAA All-American honor.

Valencia returned to the NCAA Championships in 2018 after completing an undefeated regular season. He defeated Myles Amine in the semifinals and earned an 8–2 decision over Hall in the championship match.

The result made Valencia the 11th individual NCAA champion in Arizona State wrestling history. It was also the program’s first national title at 174 pounds.

He successfully defended the championship in 2019. Seeded third, Valencia advanced through the bracket and again faced Hall in the final. A 4–3 decision gave him his second consecutive NCAA title.

Valencia became the first Arizona State wrestler to win back-to-back national championships in the same weight class. He completed his college career as a three-time All-American, three-time Pac-12 champion, and three-time Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year.

He moved from 174 to 184 pounds during his final collegiate season. His folkstyle career concluded in 2020 before he made a full transition to senior freestyle competition.

Zahid Valencia’s Early Freestyle Career

Valencia represented the United States at multiple age-group competitions before establishing himself at the senior level. His most prominent junior result was a silver medal at the 2017 U20 World Championships in Tampere, Finland.

He subsequently competed at 86 kilograms in senior international events. Valencia earned victories at tournaments in Rome and Warsaw in 2021 and won the 2022 Pan-American Championship at 86 kilograms.

He also represented the United States at the 2022 Freestyle World Cup in Coralville, Iowa. Valencia won each of his matches as the American team captured the championship.

Zahid Valencia’s 2023 World Bronze Medal

Valencia moved to the 92-kilogram division for the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. After losing in the quarterfinals, he entered the repechage rounds when his opponent advanced to the final.

He defeated Denys Sahaliuk in repechage and then recorded an 11–0 technical-superiority victory over Arash Yoshida in the bronze-medal match. The result gave Valencia his first senior World Championship medal.

Zahid Valencia’s 2025 World Championship

Valencia returned to 86 kilograms ahead of the 2025 international season. He won the Zagreb Open ranking tournament and the Pan-American Championship before representing the United States at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

He opened the World Championships with three consecutive 10–0 technical-superiority victories. Valencia then defeated two-time world champion Kamran Ghasempour 7–0 in the semifinals.

In the final, he faced Japan’s Hayato Ishiguro. Valencia won 12–0 by technical superiority, securing his first senior world title.

Valencia did not surrender a point across his five tournament matches. His results included four technical-superiority victories and a seven-point decision.

Zahid Valencia’s 2026 Results

Valencia continued competing at 86 kilograms in 2026. He earned a bronze medal at the Zagreb Open and won another Pan-American Championship, recording three technical-superiority victories at the continental tournament.

In June 2026, he faced Kyle Dake in a best-of-three Final X series for the United States’ World Championship team position. Valencia won the opening match, but Dake claimed the following two contests and secured the team berth.

The result meant Valencia would not defend his world title at the 2026 World Championships. It did not alter his status as the 2025 champion.

Zahid Valencia Major Achievements and Recognition

Valencia’s achievements cover high school, collegiate folkstyle, and international freestyle wrestling.

His collegiate record also includes three NCAA All-American finishes, three Pac-12 championships, and three Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year awards.

Valencia’s 2025 title made him the second former Arizona State wrestler to win a senior freestyle world championship, following Zeke Jones.

Zahid Valencia FAQ

Who is Zahid Valencia?

Zahid Valencia is an American freestyle wrestler and former Arizona State folkstyle wrestler. He won the 2025 World Championship at 86 kilograms and two NCAA Division I titles at 174 pounds.

How old is Zahid Valencia?

Zahid Valencia was born on May 11, 1997. He is 29 years old as of July 2026.

How many NCAA titles did Zahid Valencia win?

Valencia won two NCAA Division I championships. He captured consecutive 174-pound titles for Arizona State in 2018 and 2019.

What weight class does Zahid Valencia compete in?

Valencia primarily competes at 86 kilograms in senior freestyle wrestling. He moved to 92 kilograms for the 2023 World Championships, where he earned a bronze medal.

When did Zahid Valencia become a world champion?

Valencia became a senior world champion in September 2025. He defeated Hayato Ishiguro 12–0 in the 86-kilogram final in Zagreb.

Conclusion

Zahid Valencia progressed from a decorated career at St. John Bosco High School to becoming one of Arizona State’s most accomplished wrestlers. His college résumé includes two NCAA championships, three All-American finishes, and three Pac-12 titles.

In freestyle wrestling, Valencia earned a 2023 world bronze medal at 92 kilograms before winning the 2025 world title at 86 kilograms. His achievements across folkstyle and freestyle establish a verified record of success at both the collegiate and international levels.