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.
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| Full name | Isaiah Alexander Martinez | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Imar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 2, 1994 Lemoore, California, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Fighting Illini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | The Dam RTC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Jim Heffernan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Folkstyle
editHigh school
editMartinez 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
editMartinez attended the University of Illinois to wrestle as a collegiate athlete.
2013–2014
editRedshirt; Compiled a 13–2 record during the season (7–0 at open tournaments) and placed fourth at Midlands.[4]
2014–2015
editFreshman; 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
editSophomore; 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
editJunior; 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
editSenior; 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
editJunior
editAs 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
edit2016
editMartinez 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
editA 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
editIn 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
editTo 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
editMartinez 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
edit
NCAA record
editStats
editCollegiate awards and records
edit- Senior (17-18)
NCAA Division I (165 lbs)
Big Ten Conference (165 lbs)- Big Ten Wrestler of the Championships
- Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient
- Junior (16-17)
- NCAA Division I (165 lbs)
- Big Ten Conference (165 lbs)
- Sophomore (15-16)
- NCAA Division I (157 lbs)
- Big Ten Conference (157 lbs)
- University of Illinois Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year
- Big Ten Wrestler of the Championships
- News Gazette Male Athlete of the Year
- Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (12/1/15)
- Division I's most technical fall wins in the season (14)
- Team's most dual points scored (83)
- Freshman (14-15)
- NCAA Division I (157 lbs)
- Big Ten Conference (157 lbs)
- Dan Hodge Trophy finalist
- Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- InterMat Freshman of the Year
- Amateur Wrestling News Rookie of the Year
- Fighting Illini Male Newcomer of the Year
- News Gazette Male Athlete of the Year
- Division I's most technical fall wins in the season (11)
Freestyle awards and honors
edit- 2019
- World Cup (74 kg)
- Intercontinental Cup (79 kg)
- Final X: Lincoln (74 kg)
- US Open (74 kg)
- 2018
- Final X: Lincoln (74 kg)
- US Open (74 kg)
- 2017
- US U23 World Team Trials (74 kg)
US World Team Trials (74 kg)
References
edit- ^ "Lemoore's most decorated wrestler wins second consecutive U.S. Open Freestyle title in Las Vegas". The Leader. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ CalGrappler (February 4, 2013). "Quick 10 – Isaiah Martinez". CalGrappler - The Home for California High School Wrestling. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Isaiah Martinez - 2017-18 - Wrestling". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "2014 Midlands Results" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "RUDIS Athletes | Isaiah Martinez". RUDIS. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Martinez Takes Home Big Ten Wrestler of the Week". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "History confirmed | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Nolf-Martinez match highlight of Penn State's dual with Illinois". Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ Network, Big Ten. "Jason Nolf Takes Down No. 1 Isaiah Martinez". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Martinez Wins Reno TOC". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Penn State Wins 2016 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Penn State, Dieringer highlight final day of NCAAs at MSG | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "See the results for the 2017 UNI Open wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "See the results for the 2017 Midlands wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ LLC, ACS. "Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) Profile". www.wrestlestat.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Ohio State claims 2017 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Network. March 5, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ Garcia, Raphael (March 19, 2017). "NCAA Wrestling Nationals recap: Penn State gets another team title". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Penn State edges Ohio St. for seventh team title in eight years | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "Isaiah Martinez - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory". Oregon State University Athletics. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "See the results for the 2017 Junior and Senior World Team Trials wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "U23 World Team Trials". www.trackwrestling.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "How USA fared at 2017 U23 Worlds". WIN Magazine: Wrestling News. November 29, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "See the results for the 2018 US Open Wrestling Championships wrestling event on FloWrestling.org". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Martinez Wrestles Saturday for Spot on World Team". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Earl (June 10, 2018). "Final X Lincoln: Results and Reactions". The Open Mat. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ jeandaniel. "Grand Prix Ivan Yariguin". United World Wrestling. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Kim, J. J. (April 30, 2019). "Former Illini Isaiah Martinez Wins Second U.S. Open Title". The Daily Illini. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "#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.
- ^ Gallo, Ed (June 19, 2019). "Wrestling breakdown: Jordan Burroughs denies Isaiah Martinez". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "Final X Betting Odds for Lincoln". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "USA Wrestling announces that 2020 Olympic Trials are postponed". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Official 2021 Olympic Trials Seeds". www.flowrestling.org. March 29, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Junior & Senior Nationals Registrations Are Getting Tough - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: Iowa's Jaydin Eierman, UNI's Taylor Lujan win 2021 Senior freestyle national titles". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
External links
edit- Isaiah Martinez at the International Wrestling Database
