Competing in his first U20 World Wrestling Championships, Watterson senior Michael Boyle struck gold Aug. 23 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Boyle dominated the competition at 97 kilograms (approximately 213 pounds), winning the gold medal and helping the United States capture its third consecutive world title.
A three-time Ohio high school champion, Boyle won his world championship by beating 2024 U17 silver medalist Rodion Sanakoev of Russia by technical fall (12-2), breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the second period with five takedowns.
“I went out and I did what was expected of me,” Boyle said. “I got the job done. It’s pretty sweet, pretty special [being a] world champion.
I went out, I executed, I did my job and that was that.”
Earlier in the tournament, which began Aug. 22 for Boyle, the Ohio State commit beat returning U20 world bronze medalist Samir Dursunov of Kazakhstan and 2023 U17 Asian bronze medalist Noah Leibowitz of Japan by technical falls and pinned Belarus’ Azamat Tsarikaev on his way to a 4-0 finish.
“I’ve never wrestled these guys before,” Boyle said. “I was confident in my training. I knew I was prepared, and it really didn’t matter who was on the other side.”
The U.S. became the first team since 1988 to win a medal in all 10 weight classes. It finished first with 205 points, well ahead of runner-up Russia (155).
Boyle went sightseeing Aug. 24 with his father, Chuck. He is scheduled to return to Columbus on Aug. 25.
“It was definitely special to have my dad there,” Boyle said while traveling to Vienna, Austria.
Also a standout defensive end for the Watterson football team, Boyle said he plans to return to practice Aug. 26 and expects to play in the Eagles’ game against Pickerington Central on Aug. 28.
Playing without Boyle, the Eagles opened the season with a 35-0 win over Whitehouse Anthony Wayne on Aug. 21. Watterson is seeking its third consecutive state championship, having moved to Division II after winning back-to-back titles in Division III.
“I can’t wait to get back,” Boyle said. “I can’t wait to get our third ring.”
Boyle tuned up for the World Championships by winning the 97 kg title at the U20 Pan American Championships on July 9 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He also won the 97 kg title at the U.S. Open Championships in April in Las Vegas and finished first in the same class at the World team trials in Geneva, Ohio, in May, with the latter title earning him a spot on the U.S. team for the World Championships.
As far as long-term goals, Boyle hopes to again qualify for the U20 World Championships next August in Novi Sad, Serbia, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I am going to work as hard as possible to get back to [the World Championships],” he said. “I love representing the United States. It’s the greatest country on Earth and any chance I have to represent the United States of America in the future, I’m going to go 100% after that. ... I’m trying to stay focused on the next task in front of me, but it would be a dream come true [to compete in the Olympics].”
After helping the Watterson football team win its second straight state title last December and earning first-team all-state honors, Boyle went 38-0 on the mat last winter and repeated as Division II state champion at 215 pounds as the Eagles won their second straight team title. Boyle won at 165 as a freshman.
He was recognized as The Dispatch’s Boys Athlete of the Year during the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 22 at Upper Arlington High School.
“Michael is the definition of a role model for all of our athletes at Watterson,” athletic director Doug Etgen said. “I'm not one for hyperbole but in this case, it's deserved. He works hard every single day to get every ounce out of the abilities God has given him. On top of that, he leads, is humble and is faith filled. We cannot be prouder of what he has accomplished and what awaits him in the future.”
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Watterson's Michael Boyle wins World wrestling championship
