'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwT/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMpOFd//xAAfEAABAwUAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQQSAAMFESEyQWH/2gAIAQEAAT8Af5TNPGT42z2F1rZuPDn4mFq3NR17lotovFo8W6mUH5gO+CKKKJ8RELlf/8QAFhEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMh/9oACAECAQE/AH0//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAFIv/aAAgBAwEBPwCudM//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Penn State wrestler PJ Duke penned a message for his coach, Khaled Dassan, after winning the 70 Kg bracket in the 2025 Wrestling World Team Trials. Duke had a staggering campaign in this tournament, as he defeated the likes of NCAA champions Antrell Taylor in the quarters and the current 149 lbs title holder, Ridge Lovett, in the final four on his road to the finals.
Following these victories, Duke took down Bryce Andonian (4-1 via decision) in the penultimate contest to win the bracket. Just a few days after his victory, Dassan, who is the owner of KD Training Center in Westchester, where Duke trains, shared a post in appreciation for the latter.
Dassan emphasized the relationship they share on the mat and wrote via his Instagram:
"Built On Trust."
Trending
The Penn State wrestler shared this post on his Instagram stories and expressed his admiration towards Dassan for his constant support with a two-word message. He wrote:
"My day1"
Besides PJ Duke, Khaled Dassan has also coached the 2025 Pan American 57 kg champion, Roman Bravo-Young, a two-time NCAA champion for Penn State.
PJ Duke makes his feelings known about his victory at the 2025 Wrestling World Team Trials
PJ Duke expressed his emotions about his victory in the 2025 Wrestling World Team Trials. He will now compete at the Final X Wrestling Championships, scheduled to take place from June 14.
Speaking in an interview after the final match, Duke shared that years of hard work were being paid off, finally, and also remarked that he was excited to be on the Penn State roster. Additionally, he also mentioned that making it to the Final X and the World team was a dream come true for him. He said:
"Years and years of work, it's all paying off finally, you know. I mean, it's just incredible, I'm so excited for us to come here in that Penn State room. It's been a dream of mine forever, wrestling, Final X and make a world team and stuff, so it's really a dream come true. I'm so so grateful that I am able to compete."
During the conversation, Duke also said that he was honored to receive the support of the Nittany Lions coaches, especially with the quality of people around the program.
