Penn State wrestling legend Zain Retherford is once again a world medalist.
Retherford, competing at 70 KG, won a Bronze Medal at this year’s World Championships is Kazakstan, beating Canada’s Lachlan McNeil 4-0.
This is the third time Retherford has medaled on the world stage.
He took gold at Belgrade in 2023, won silver in the same country the year before. The two-time Hodge Trophy winner made it to the semifinals before falling 3-2 to three-time World medalist Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan). Retherford is one of the greatest wrestlers in Penn State history, with be and David Taylor being the only Penn State wrestlers to win two Hodge Trophies.
Taylor retired from active competition upon taking the Oklahoma State coaching job in 2024, returning briefly for an official swan song at that year’s Senior World Championships.
In August of that year, Retherford kinda, sorta retired, shifting to a coaching role with Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.At this year’s Senior World Team Trials in Louisville, Retherford competed for the first time since the 2024 Olympics, and fought his way to Final X.
He made it through a field that included former Virginia Tech national champion Caleb Hansen (Southeast RTC/Titan Mercury WC), reigning Oklahoma State national champ Landon Robideau (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) and current Penn State wrestling star Tyler Kasak (NLWC).
From there, Retherford made the World Team but beating former Nebraska star Ridge Lovett twice in a best of three series, winning the first match 2-1 and the second one 8-2.
Retherford was the third NLWC member to medal, joining Kyle Snyder, who took gold at 97 KG, and Marcus Blaze, who won bronze at 61 KG.
