“No, he’s super cool. I introduced myself when I first saw him and talked to him a little bit. I don’t have any enemies, you know—I don’t believe in having enemies.” That was David Carr sharing his thoughts with USA Wrestling. Cool, composed, and fresh off one of the biggest wins of his career. But don’t let the kindness fool you. When the whistle blew at FloWrestling Night in America, the American wrestler was there to prove himself. And he definitely did so.

How did he do it? What gave him the edge over an Olympic silver medalist? From high school dominance to collegiate success, Carr has never shied away from the biggest challenges. But this wasn’t just another match. This was an international battle, a test of pride, skill, and raw determination. Across from him stood Daichi Takatani, a battle-hardened Japanese wrestler. For Carr, this was a statement. A chance to show the wrestling world he belonged among the best. And he did just that.

Carr knew exactly what he was up against. Takatani is known for his lightning-fast low attacks. Reflecting on his performance in a video uploaded by FloWrestling on X, he broke down the moment that sealed his victory, “That’s kind of one of his main shots—get to the low attack. Right into it, man. Get my lace and then go the other way. Yeah, that was… you know, that’s something I do at practice, but it definitely feels good to be able to hit it, you know, in a live match.” Executing a move in practice is one thing, but hitting it against an Olympic-caliber opponent; one with 12 Japan National Championships? That’s a whole different level!

With a collegiate record of 120-5, Carr proved once again why he’s one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the game, securing a 10-7 victory over an Olympic silver medalist. He wasted no time asserting dominance, surging to an early 6-0 lead with precise takedowns and relentless attacks. A proven warrior on the international stage wasn’t going down without a fight, clawing back to make it 6-2 by the break. As the clock wound down, Daichi Takatani made one final push, closing the gap to 10-7, but it wasn’t enough. Carr held firm, sealing one of the biggest wins of his career in Coralville.

For Carr, this wasn’t just a test of skill; it was a battle that solidified his ability to beat an elite international talent.

Respect and an unstoppable climb: David Carr’s wrestling legacy in the making

The U20 World Champion? Undefeated. David Carr closed out his conference career with a perfect 67-0 record. Let that sink in—67 straight wins. And how did he sign off? With pure dominance. On February 26, 2024, in front of a roaring crowd of 7,013 at Hilton, Carr stepped onto the mat one last time for Iowa State. His opponent, Missouri’s Jeremy Jakowitsch, barely had a chance to catch his breath before it was over. The clock? 2 minutes and 11 seconds. That’s all it took.

And that’s just a piece of his legacy. A five-time All-American and a two-time NCAA champion! Wow! An absolute force in collegiate wrestling. But he didn’t stop there. Since graduating from Iowa State, Carr has kept climbing, taking on the world stage. Most recently? A silver medal at the 2025 Grand Prix Zagreb Open. The journey is far from over though. He’s already cemented his name among the best while training at the Cyclone Regional Training Center.

“I believe that everyone has value and love. So, I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh, I have to wrestle you.’ I’m just like, ‘Hey dude, it’s a great opportunity to wrestle you.’ That’s what I told him, and it was really cool,” Carr said. He doesn’t see opponents as enemies—he sees them as part of the journey, as people who push him to be better. With a star-studded resume and a mindset that speaks volumes, David Carr has established his position as a great wrestler.