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Isaiah Martinez

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Isaiah Martinez
Personal information
Full nameIsaiah Alexander Martinez
NicknameImar
Born (1994-09-02) September 2, 1994 (age 30)
Lemoore, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight74 kg (163 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamFighting Illini
ClubThe Dam RTC
Coached byJim Heffernan
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2018 Iowa City Team
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Yakutsk Team
US National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Las Vegas 74 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Las Vegas 74 kg
Silver medal – second place 2021 Coralville 79 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Illinois Fighting Illini
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 St. Louis 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2016 New York 157 lb
Silver medal – second place 2017 St. Louis 165 lb
Silver medal – second place 2018 Cleveland 165 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Columbus 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2016 Iowa City 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2017 Bloomington 165 lb
Gold medal – first place 2018 East Lansing 165 lb

Isaiah Alexander Martinez (born September 2, 1994) is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler who competes at 79 kilograms. In freestyle, Martinez is a two-time US Open National champion (three-time finalist) and was the 2017 US U23 World Team Member. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a two-time NCAA Division I National champion (four-time finalist) and a four-time Big Ten Conference champion.

Folkstyle

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High school

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Martinez was born and raised in Lemoore, California. He started wrestling at a young age and became a three-time CIF champion[1] and four-time placer with a 205–7 record as a high schooler at Lemoore High School.[2][3]

University

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Martinez attended the University of Illinois to wrestle as a collegiate athlete.

2013–2014

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Redshirt; Compiled a 13–2 record during the season (7–0 at open tournaments) and placed fourth at Midlands.[4]

2014–2015

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Freshman; Midlands and Roadrunner Open undefeated champion during regular season.[5][6] Won the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA championship with notable wins over Dylan Ness, James Green, Nick Brascetta and Brian Realbuto, being the first one to win the championship as an undefeated freshman since Cael Sanderson (99').[7][8]

2015–2016

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Sophomore; Posted a 17–1 record at duals with lone loss to future three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf[9][10] and became the Reno TOC champion during regular season.[11] Won the Big Ten Conference title while avenging his regular season's loss to Jason Nolf.[12] At the NCAA's, he defeated #3 ranked Ian Miller and top-ranked Jason Nolf for the second time to claim the championship.[13]

2016–2017

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Junior; Bumped up a weight class and competed at 165 pounds. He became the UNI Open & Midlands champion and compiled an 11–0 record at duals, ending regular season unbeaten.[14][15][16] Became a three-time Big Ten Conference champion and entered as the top-seeded wrestler at the NCAA championships.[17] At the tournament, he made his way to the finale in where he faced Vincenzo Joseph, whom he was 2-0 prior to the match. He lost by fall and claimed runner-up honors.[18]

2017–2018

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Senior; Compiled a record of 11–0 at dual matches in regular season. Became the sixteenth wrestler to ever win four Big Ten Conference championships when he beat Vincenzo Joseph at the finale of the tournament, also entering as the top-ranked seed at the NCAA championships.[19] He defeated four opponents on his way to the finale, in which he faced Vincenzo Joseph for the fifth time in their collegiate career and lost for the second time, claiming once again runner-up honors.[20]

Overall, Martinez is a two-time NCAA champion, four-time NCAA finalist, and four-time Big Ten Conference champion, which makes him the most accomplished Fighting Illini in the history of the wrestling team.[21]

Freestyle

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Junior

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As a youth level wrestler, Martinez was a Junior National runner-up and Junior Fargo National champion in both, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

U23 and Senior level

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2016

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Martinez made his senior freestyle debut at the University National Championships. He defeated all of his opponents by technical fall until the best of three, where he won on points and then by technical fall to win the championship.[22]

2017

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A year later, he competed at the Last Chance Qualifier for the World Team Trials. He defeated three opponents, outscoring them 34-1 and qualifying for the World Team Trials Challenge tournament.[23] There, he passed the quarterfinals with a technical fall win but subsequently lost to four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake on points and faced three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer at the true second match. He also lost the bout by points, placing third at the World Team Trials Challenge.[24]

After failing to make the World Team, Martinez, who was 23 years old at the time, competed at the U23 World Team Trials. He defeated his opponent on points twice and earned his shot at the U23 World Championships.[25]

At the U23 World Championships, he was defeated in the first round by the eventual winner of the championship Gadzhi Nabiev and was thrown to the consolation bracket. There, he defeated two opponents by technical fall and performed at the bronze medal match, where he was defeated by technical fall himself, placing fifth.[26]

2018

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In his first freestyle competition of the year, Martinez attended the US Open. He defeated his first opponent by fall and the other four by technical fall, without getting scored once through the tournament and winning the championship.[27]

After winning the US Open, Martinez automatically advanced to the best-of-three finals of the World Team Trials Challenge. He defeated three-time NCAA Division III champion Nazar Kulchytskyy twice by technical fall and advanced to Final X.[28] At Final X: Lincoln, he faced Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion Jordan Burroughs in a best-of-three. He lost the first match by points and the second by technical fall.[29]

He then competed in his first non-world championship international tournament at the senior level, the Medved Prizes. He defeated two opponents to advance to the semifinals but was beaten on points. At the bronze medal match, he defeated his opponent 11 points to 2, claiming the bronze medal.[30]

2019

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To start the year, Martinez competed at the prestigious Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin. He was eliminated in the first round in a close 10–11 loss.[31]

In March, Martinez competed at the World Cup along with the US team. He competed in four matches and defeated all of his opponents (two by technical fall), winning the crown at the 74 kilograms division, even though Team USA placed third as a team.[32]

Next, he competed at the US Open. He won his second straight title at the event by defeating all four of his opponents.[33]

By winning the US Open title, Martinez was automatically set to compete at the finals of the World Team Trials Challenge. The man who won the bracket until the finals was his former collegiate rival Jason Nolf, whom he had to face in a best-of-three. He won the first match by points but subsequently lost by the same method, leading to a third and final match. Despite the earlier bouts being fairly close, he defeated Nolf by technical fall, qualifying for Final X.[34]

A month later, he competed at Final X: Lincoln against Olympic Gold medalist and four-time World Champion Jordan Burroughs in a best-of-three, just like last year (18'). As a big underdog, he lost the first match in a close 4-5 but came back with an upset in the second match, beating Burroughs by criteria with 5 points to 5. At the third and final match, Martinez couldn't hold up and lost the match on points (1-7).[35] This gained him recognition as a top prospect, as he was expected to lose two matches in a row against the 19' World Team Member.[36]

After his failed attempt of making it to the World Championships, he competed at the Continental Cup. He defeated three opponents to make the finals, where he lost by technical fall and earned runner-up honors.[37]

In his last competition of the year, he attended the Bill Farrell Memorial. He opened up with a fall and a technical fall and won his next two bouts on points to make it to the finals. At the finale, he faced collegiate and now international rival Jason Nolf, whom he defeated by technical fall.[38]

2020–2021

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Martinez was scheduled to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials on April 4, 2020, at State College, Pennsylvania.[39] However, the event was postponed for 2021 along with the Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving all the qualifiers unable to compete.[40]

After a year and a half of no competition, Martinez was expected to compete at the rescheduled US Olympic Trials in April 2–3, 2021, as the number one seed (aside from Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake, both sitting out), but was forced to pull out due to an injury.[41]

Martinez came back to competition from May 1 to 2 at the US Open National Championships as the number one seed, while also moving up to 79 kilograms.[42] After four victories to reach the finals, Martinez was forced to forfeit, claiming runner–up honors.[43]

Freestyle record

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Senior & U23 Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2021 US World Team Trials DNP at 79 kg
United States Carter Starocci FF September 11–12, 2021 2021 US World Team Trials United States Lincoln, Nebraska
Loss 50–13 United States Alex Dieringer 1–6
Win 50–12 United States Taylor Lujan 10–7
Win 49–12 United States Branson Ashworth 11–10
2021 US Open 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 79 kg
Win 48–12 United States Devin Skatzka Fall May 1, 2021 2021 US Open National Championships United States Coralville, Iowa
Win 47–12 United States Travis Wittlake 9–3
Win 46–12 United States Hunter Mullin TF 10–0
Win 45–12 United States Shane Gantz TF 12–0
2019 Bill Farrell Memorial 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 44-12 United States Jason Nolf TF 12-0 November 16, 2019 2019 Bill Farrell Memorial International Open

United States New York, New York

Win 43-12 United States Thomas Gantt 8-7
Win 42-12 United States Nazar Kulchytskyy 12-5
Win 41-12 United States Nick Incontrera TF 10-0
Win 40-12 Mongolia Gantulga Shijir Fall
2019 Continental Cup 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 79kg
Loss 39-12 Russia Atsamaz Sanakoev TF 0-10 October 14, 2019 2019 Intercontinental Wrestling Cup

Russia Khasavyurt, Russia

Win 39-11 Kazakhstan Zhiger Zakirov TF 12-2
Win 38-11 Russia Adam Khasiev 9-9
Win 37-11 Uzbekistan Davlat Khodjiev TF 10-0
2019 US World Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74kg
Loss 36-11 United States Jordan Burroughs 1-7 June 15, 2019 2019 Final X: Lincoln

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Win 36-10 United States Jordan Burroughs 5-5
Loss 35-10 United States Jordan Burroughs 4-5
Win 35-9 United States Jason Nolf TF 12-2 May 19, 2019 2019 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Raleigh, North Carolina

Loss 34-9 United States Jason Nolf 5-7
Win 34-8 United States Jason Nolf 9-4
2019 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 33-8 United States Thomas Gantt 6-4 April 27, 2019 2019 US Open Wrestling Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 32-8 United States Brian Murphy TF 13-0
Win 31-8 United States Joey Lavallee TF 13-2
Win 30-8 United States Dillon Ulrey TF 10-0
2019 World Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 29-8 Japan Yuto Miwa TF 10-0 March 17, 2019 2019 Wrestling World Cup

Russia Yakutsk, Russia

Win 28-8 Mongolia Bat-Erdene Byambadorj TF 11-0
Win 27-8 Iran Reza Afzali 6-2
Win 26-8 Georgia (country) Zurabi Erbotsonashvili 10-6
2019 Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 10th at 74kg
Loss 25-8 Belarus Azamat Nurykau 10-11 January 24, 2019 2019 Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix

Russia Krasnoyarsk, Russia

2018 Medved International 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 25-7 Russia Magoma Dibirgadzhiev 11-2 September 15, 2018 2018 Alexander Medved Prizes Ranking Series

Belarus Minsk, Belarus

Loss 24-7 Belarus Azamat Nurykau 5-8
Win 24-6 Lithuania Andrius Mazeika 11-9
Win 23-6 Ukraine Ivan Kusyak 8-0
2018 US World Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74kg
Loss 22-6 United States Jordan Burroughs TF 1-11 June 9, 2018 2018 Final X: Lincoln

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Loss 22-5 United States Jordan Burroughs 1-4
Win 22-4 United States Nazar Kulchytskyy TF 13-2 May 20, 2018 2018 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Rochester, Minnesota

Win 21-4 United States Nazar Kulchytskyy TF 13-2
2018 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 20-4 United States Dan Vallimont TF 10-0 April 28, 2018 2018 US Open Wrestling Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 19-4 United States Jake Sueflohn TF 11-0
Win 18-4 United States Jacen Petersen TF 10-0
Win 17-4 United States Connor Keating TF 10-0
Win 16-4 United States Jacob Thalin Fall
2017 U23 World Championships 5th at 74kg
Loss 15-4 Georgia (country) Avtandil Kentchadze TF 0-11 November 25, 2017 2017 World U23 Wrestling Championship

Poland Bydgoszcz, Poland

Win 15-3 Kazakhstan Yerkebulan Tileu TF 11-0
Win 14-3 Lithuania Andrius Mazeika TF 13-2
Loss 13-3 Russia Gadzhi Nabiev 5-6
2017 US U23 World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 13-2 United States Chance Marsteller 7-6 October 8, 2017 2017 US U23 World Team Trials

United States Rochester, Minnesota

Win 12-2 United States Chance Marsteller 8-2
2017 US World Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 74kg
Loss 11-2 United States Alex Dieringer 2-4 June 9, 2017 2017 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Loss 11-1 United States Kyle Dake 2-9
Win 11-0 United States Kevin LeValley TF 10-0
2017 US Last Chance OTT 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 10-0 United States Nick Wanzek TF 10-0 May 22, 2017 2017 US Senior Last Chance World Team Trials Qualifier

United States Rochester, Minnesota

Win 9-0 United States Alfred Daniel TF 11-0
Win 8-0 United States Michael Schmitz TF 13-1
2016 US University Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74kg
Win 7-0 United States Chance Marsteller TF 15-5 June 6, 2016 2016 US University National Championships

United States Akron, Ohio

Win 6-0 United States Chance Marsteller 14-10
Win 5-0 United States Tyrel White TF 10-0
Win 4-0 United States Nate Higgins TF 10-0
Win 3-0 United States Raider Lofthouse TF 10-0
Win 2-0 United States Marquint Bryant TF 12-2
Win 1-0 United States Evan Delong TF 13-2

NCAA record

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NCAA Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2018 NCAA Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Loss 17-2 Vincenzo Joseph 1-6 March 17, 2018 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 17-1 Alex Marinelli 5-1
Win 16-1 Chance Marsteller MD 10-1
Win 15-1 Jonathon Chavez 10-5
Win 14-1 Zachary Carson TF 20-5
2017 NCAA Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Loss 13-1 Vincenzo Joseph Fall March 18, 2018 2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 13-0 Isaac Jordan 2-1
Win 12-0 Nick Wanzek 8-5
Win 11-0 Shaun`Qae McMurtry MD 14-4
2016 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 157 lbs
Win 10-0 Jason Nolf 6-5 March 19, 2016 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 9-0 Ian Miller SV-1 7-5
Win 8-0 Nick Brascetta 6-3
Win 7-0 Markus Scheidel MD 15-4
Win 6-0 Robert Henderson TF 16-0
2015 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 157 lbs
Win 5-0 Brian Realbuto 9-2 March 21, 2015 2015 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 4-0 James Green 3-2
Win 3-0 Nick Brascetta 10-4
Win 2-0 Spartak Chino Fall
Win 1-0 Russell Parsons TF 18-2

Stats

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Season Year School Rank Weigh Class Record Win Bonus
2018 Senior University of Illinois #1 (2nd) 165 18-1 94.74% 63.16%
2017 Junior #1 (2nd) 31-1 96.88% 68.75%
2016 Sophomore #2 (1st) 157 32-1 96.97% 66.67%
2015 Freshman #1 (1st) 35-0 100.00% 68.57%
Career 116-3 97.14% 66.79%

Collegiate awards and records

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Freestyle awards and honors

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2019
2018
  • 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Final X: Lincoln (74 kg)
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) US Open (74 kg)
2017
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) US U23 World Team Trials (74 kg)
  • 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) US World Team Trials (74 kg)

References

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  1. ^ "Lemoore's most decorated wrestler wins second consecutive U.S. Open Freestyle title in Las Vegas". The Leader. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. ^ CalGrappler (February 4, 2013). "Quick 10 – Isaiah Martinez". CalGrappler - The Home for California High School Wrestling. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Isaiah Martinez - 2017-18 - Wrestling". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "2014 Midlands Results" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "RUDIS Athletes | Isaiah Martinez". RUDIS. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Martinez Takes Home Big Ten Wrestler of the Week". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "Iowa and Ohio State Win 2015 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "History confirmed | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "Nolf-Martinez match highlight of Penn State's dual with Illinois". Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Network, Big Ten. "Jason Nolf Takes Down No. 1 Isaiah Martinez". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "Martinez Wins Reno TOC". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  12. ^ "Penn State Wins 2016 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Penn State, Dieringer highlight final day of NCAAs at MSG | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "See the results for the 2017 UNI Open wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  15. ^ "See the results for the 2017 Midlands wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  16. ^ LLC, ACS. "Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) Profile". www.wrestlestat.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  17. ^ "Ohio State claims 2017 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Network. March 5, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  18. ^ Garcia, Raphael (March 19, 2017). "NCAA Wrestling Nationals recap: Penn State gets another team title". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  19. ^ "2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  20. ^ "Penn State edges Ohio St. for seventh team title in eight years | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  21. ^ "Isaiah Martinez - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory". Oregon State University Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  22. ^ "Four NCAA champs take top prize in freestyle at University Nationals, Richards named OW". Team USA. June 5, 2016. Archived from the original on June 6, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "Martinez, Rau, Zillmer, Cabell round out champions at Last Chance World Team Trials Qualifier". Team USA. May 21, 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  24. ^ "See the results for the 2017 Junior and Senior World Team Trials wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  25. ^ "U23 World Team Trials". www.trackwrestling.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "How USA fared at 2017 U23 Worlds". WIN Magazine: Wrestling News. November 29, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  27. ^ "See the results for the 2018 US Open Wrestling Championships wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Martinez Wrestles Saturday for Spot on World Team". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  29. ^ Smith, Earl (June 10, 2018). "Final X Lincoln: Results and Reactions". The Open Mat. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  30. ^ "Martinez, Walz win bronze medals at Medved; Anthony not allowed to weigh-in and kept out of finals". Team USA. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  31. ^ jeandaniel. "Grand Prix Ivan Yariguin". United World Wrestling. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  32. ^ "U.S. Wrestlers Top Japan For Bronze At Men's Freestyle World Cup". Team USA. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  33. ^ Kim, J. J. (April 30, 2019). "Former Illini Isaiah Martinez Wins Second U.S. Open Title". The Daily Illini. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "#FreestyleFriday: Relive Martinez and Nolf best-of-three series at World Team Trials". Team USA. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  35. ^ Gallo, Ed (June 19, 2019). "Wrestling breakdown: Jordan Burroughs denies Isaiah Martinez". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  36. ^ "Final X Betting Odds for Lincoln". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Molinaro and Martinez claim silver medals to close out Continental Cup". Team USA. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  38. ^ "Gross dominates in Bill Farrell finals, five more wrestlers qualify for Olympic Team Trials". Team USA. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  39. ^ "Updated qualifiers for 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, after WCWA Nationals". Team USA. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  40. ^ Goodwin, Cody. "USA Wrestling announces that 2020 Olympic Trials are postponed". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  41. ^ "Official 2021 Olympic Trials Seeds". www.flowrestling.org. March 29, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  42. ^ "Junior & Senior Nationals Registrations Are Getting Tough - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  43. ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: Iowa's Jaydin Eierman, UNI's Taylor Lujan win 2021 Senior freestyle national titles". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
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