picture of David Taylor

David Taylor, nicknamed the Magic Man, is an American freestyle wrestler who currently resides and trains in State College, Pennsylvania. Taylor was crowned the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Champion at 86 kg after defeating Iran's Yazdani in the finals. Other career accolades include 2018 World Champion in Budapest, 2021 World Silver medalist in Oslo, three-time Pan-American Champion, Ivan Yarygin Champion, two-time NCAA champion at Penn State, two-time Dan Hodge award winner, and four-time Ohio State Champion.

  1. The College Fan Guide To USA Wrestling's 2024 Olympic Team Trials

    The College Fan Guide To USA Wrestling's 2024 Olympic Team Trials

    Apr 15, 2024

    Every four years, the Olympic Team Trials attracts one of the greatest collections of active American wrestlers under one roof. Just how great will the 2024 Trials in State College be? Keep reading and we will tell you!
  2. 86 kg Preview & Predictions - 2023 Senior World Championships

    86 kg Preview & Predictions - 2023 Senior World Championships

    Sep 6, 2023

    The 2023 Senior World Championships are set to go down in Belgrade, Serbia, September 16-24. The men’s freestyle portion of the tournament will take place from September 16-19. Check out the below article for a complete breakdown with predictions for the 86 kg weight class at the 2023 World Championships.
  3. David Taylor Calls Out Jordan Burroughs For An MMA Fight

    David Taylor Calls Out Jordan Burroughs For An MMA Fight

    Aug 19, 2023

    David Taylor took to X Friday evening to have a little fun and call out Jordan Burroughs in "grappling, boxing, MMA - doesn’t matter."
  4. A Realistic Look At Every MFS World Teamer's Chances Of Winning A Medal

    A Realistic Look At Every MFS World Teamer's Chances Of Winning A Medal

    Jun 14, 2023

    I would like to start off this article by saying that I hope Team USA goes 10 for 10 at Worlds and dominates the entire way and that USA Wrestling has become so good in the past handful of years that just making the team automatically makes you a medal threat at the World Championships. Look at how many medalists are sitting home this year. That being said, I’m trying to provide information to help fans set realistic expectations. At weights where I did not predict a gold medal, I’m not saying that wrestler isn’t capable, just looking at data including past results and international fields.
  5. David Taylor Is Competing At Final X Wrestling 2023: What You Should Know

    David Taylor Is Competing At Final X Wrestling 2023: What You Should Know

    May 30, 2023

    The 32-year-old David Taylor defeated Iran’s Hassan Yazdani in the title match in Serbia last September. It was his second world championship (2018).
  6. Early Line-up Look: Penn State Nittany Lions

    Early Line-up Look: Penn State Nittany Lions

    May 4, 2023

    Head coach: Cael Sanderson
  7. David Taylor Is Considering A Career In MMA 'More Than Ever Before'

    David Taylor Is Considering A Career In MMA 'More Than Ever Before'

    Nov 15, 2022

    David Taylor is enjoying life as an Olympic gold medalist and 2X World champion. He recently attended UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden and then sat down with prominent MMA journalist Ariel Helwani to discuss his past two years and what lies ahead. The biggest takeaway was that Taylor's main goal is to win the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and then anything is on the table, including a career in MMA.
  8. FRL 848 - David Taylor Talks Yazdani, Dake, & Coaching

    FRL 848 - David Taylor Talks Yazdani, Dake, & Coaching

    Oct 19, 2022

    David Taylor joins Askren, CP, and Bray to talk about his World Championships performance, Dake's move to NLWC, club coaching, and more.
  9. Team USA Men's Freestyle Updates At The 2022 World Championships

    Team USA Men's Freestyle Updates At The 2022 World Championships

    Sep 18, 2022

    It's all about the team race: USA vs Iran! It's party time in Belgrade, let's go!
  10. Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 6

    Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 6

    Sep 15, 2022

    Team USA has a big session with lots of hardware on the line. Zain Retherford (70 kg), Jordan Burroughs (79 kg), and David Taylor (86 kg) are in the semis while Helen Maroulis (57 kg), Tamyra Mensah-Stock (68 kg), and Amit Elor (72 kg) wrestle for gold medals. The action begins at 10:45 a.m. Eastern.
  11. 2022 Worlds Bracket Breakdown - Men's Freestyle

    2022 Worlds Bracket Breakdown - Men's Freestyle

    Sep 14, 2022

    Men’s Freestyle at the World Championships will start Thursday morning in Belgrade, Serbia. Before the action kicks off, let’s take a look at each American’s path to the world finals!
  12. Team USA Women's Updates At The 2022 World Championships

    Team USA Women's Updates At The 2022 World Championships

    Sep 14, 2022

    The American women continue to make strides on the senior level. Belgrade will be another opportunity to make a statement on the world stage.
  13. Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 5

    Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 5

    Sep 14, 2022

    It's a big session for the U.S. women's freestyle team. Keep up to date as Dom Parrish (53 kg) wrestles for gold, Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg) and Mallory Velte (65 kg) go for bronze and Helen Maroulis (57 kg), Tamyra Mensah-Stock (68 kg), and Amit Elor (72 kg) wrestle in the semifinals. The action begins at 10:45 p.m. Eastern.
  14. Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 4

    Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 4

    Sep 13, 2022

    The U.S. women's freestyle wrestling team has a big day ahead beginning at 10:45 a.m. Eastern. Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg) and Dom Parrish (53 kg) wrestle their semifinal bouts while Jacarra Winchester (55 kg) goes for bronze and Kayla Miracle (62 kg) goes for gold.
  15. Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 3

    Senior World Championships Match Notes - Day 3

    Sep 12, 2022

    Keep up to date at the 2022 World Championships as Jacarra Winchester and Kayla Miracle wrestle for a spot in the World finals. The action begins at 10:45 a.m. Eastern on FloWrestling.