Kyle Snyder is the world champion of wrestling at 97kg, again. He gave the United States its third separate title in three days just four months after his arrest as part of a prostitution sting.
It has been a whirlwind to say the least.
Synder was in court in May. The 29-year-old returned to the top of the World podium for a fourth time in his well-decorated wrestling career in September.
Who is Kyle Snyder?
There is a case to be made that Kyle Snyder is the greatest American wrestler of all-time. He is at the very least in the conversation alongside guys like Jordan Burroughs, Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson and Bruce Baumgartner.
The former Ohio State star is the youngest wrester ever to win the world, NCAA and Olympic championships in the same year. He won three-straight NCAA titles as a heavyweight, with his third against an opponent who outweighed him by nearly 60 pounds. He claimed 30 different gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Pan American Championships, Pan American Games and the World Cup. There are very few things Synder has not accomplished at this point in his career.
His fourth world title at 97kg came on a 4-2 win over Amirali Azarpira in Croatia on Tuesday.
Kyle Snyder (USA) claims his 4th World Championship 🥇
— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) September 16, 2025
He takes the 97 kg final with a 4-2 win over Amirali Azarpira (IRI). pic.twitter.com/tBtKURjVf1
It was his eighth medal at a World Championships to go with his three Olympic medals. The legend continues!
Not even a prostitution sting can take him down!
The optics of this victory are slightly awkward, for lack of better word. Kyle Snyder was arrested in May as part of a prostitution sting by police in Columbus, Ohio.
He allegedly engaged in phone calls and text messages with an undercover police officer to set up the initial meeting. He then went to a nearby hotel and paid the undercover officer an undisclosed amount of cash in exchange for the sexual favor.
Police immediately arrested Synder for engaging in prostitution. They later released him from custody at the scene.
The sting operation took place on May 9. Snyder appeared at a court hearing by video on May 19, where he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.
A judge ordered him to pay a fine of $250. He also had to complete a one-day program for people accused of solicitation.
“I learned about the impact these decisions have on not just my family but the community,” Snyder said, in part. “I plan on making much better decisions.”
Regardless of what went down in May, Snyder did not let it impact his return to the top of the podium!