BLACKSBURG, VA – Representing the United States of America, Virginia Tech wrestling's Cooper Flynn travels to Tirana, Albania this week for the 2023 United World Wrestling U23 World Championships. Flynn is part of the ten-weight men's freestyle contingent competing Monday, October 23 through Wednesday, October 25 and will look to earn his first championship level medal representing Team USA.
Each weight bracket will be contested over a two-day period that continues into the semifinals on the first day, followed by repechage and medal matches on the second day of competition. The Hokie will compete at 57-kilograms in the men's freestyle division on Tuesday, October 24 through Wednesday, October 25 streaming live with a Flowrestling subscription. Hokies wrestling will be pushing results and updates as available via X.
Flynn makes his Team USA debut as he becomes the sixth wrestler in program history to represent the United States at a world championship event. The Hokie secured his world team spot after winning a best two-out-of-three series back in June at the U23 World Team Trials to make his first US national team appearance.
𝗨𝟮𝟯 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗦 | 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) June 5, 2023
Cooper Flynn brings home U23 national title 🏆; Sam Fisher finishes 5th in Geneva, Ohio.
🔗 » https://t.co/nasCHdJdOY#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies 🦃
The Hokie made waves in his international debut this past July – capturing the Poland Open title at 57-kilograms against a talented field. Flynn won four bouts including defeating Puerto Rico world team member and NCAA champion Darian Cruz in the finals.
𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙡𝙮𝙣𝙣 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 57-𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 👑@Flynn1Cooper wins 🥇 in international debut; impresses with win over 2017 NCAA Champion 👏
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) July 30, 2023
🔗 » https://t.co/lRVh8B8RS6
U23 World Championships up next 👊#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/Yakbp2fDNB
Flynn and Virginia Tech wrestling announced that he would be utilizing his Olympic redshirt as he prepares for the opportunity to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games next summer.
𝚂𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜🗼🇫🇷@Flynn1Cooper will utilize his Olympic Redshirt for the 2023-2024 season as he prepares for the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.#HokieNation is behind you, Coop👊#ALLINALLTHETIME #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/Nhq0O6Q5aF
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) August 23, 2023
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