The US Open is finally around the corner. The wrestling spectacle is the biggest of its kind across the country. And with dozens of talents coming from all over the country, it offers the fans the opportunity to witness greatness. The rosters full of current and future greats offer a glimpse into the wrestling scene as a whole. This year’s edition will start on April 23. But while the fans are excited about everything, there’s one category that is the center of this focus. And that’s the 61 kg division. But what’s so special about it? Well, shall we find out?

A look at the event schedule will reveal that the 61 kg division is one of the most stacked divisions in the entire tournament. With quality wrestlers lining up to go against one another, the bouts are expected to be a cracker. Still in doubt? Well, let’s take a look at the names then. The 61 kg will feature the likes of Marcus Blaze, Nashon Garrett, Daton Fix, and Austin DeSanto. Quite evidently, it goes without saying that these wrestlers have already shown glimpses of what they are capable of. 

Specializing in folk and freestyle wrestling, Blaze won a couple of quite prestigious accolades. Back in 2023, Blaze competed in the U17 World Championships to win a gold medal in the 55kg category. Next up, scaling to 61 kg, Blaze secured a bronze in the 2024 U20 Worlds. Next up, it will be the fast and furious Nahshon Garrett. Creating ripples right from his NCAA days, Garrett has a host of accolades to his name. 

Garrett has already been a part of the US Open twice. Competing in 2017 and 2018, Garrett won silver medals in the 57 and 61 kg categories, respectively. And that’s not all. The young wrestler also secured a gold medal in the 2025 Grand Prix in Nice. Next up on the list is Daton Fix. Fix, too, has been around the sport for a long time. The 27-year-old has previously won the US Open gold medal and will be aiming to repeat the same. 

Speaking of his other accolades, Fix has won gold medals in the Grand Prix, Pan American Championships, and Pan American Games. Lastly, Austin DeSanto has been a high school phenom. Competing for Exeter High School, DeSanto was a 3x all-state wrestler in Pennsylvania. However, his biggest moment came when he defeated Spencer Lee to become the state champion. Thus, with the competition expected to be a cracker, the fans seemed significantly excited. 

Fans share their two cents, deciding who would emerge as the ultimate hero

As soon as the news went viral, fans flocked to the comments section. One wrestling enthusiast’s reaction highlighted the immense depth in the 61kg field, with Seth Gross and Daton Fix viewed as top contenders. The fan acknowledges Marcus Blaze’s threat, recognizing the difficulty of beating him, which speaks volumes about the parity and competitiveness expected in this weight group. They wrote, “Gross or Fix. Blaze will be a super tough out, though.”

Another comment built Gross’s momentum heading into the US Open, referencing his dominant display over Austin DeSanto. “After that absolute master class in wrestling that Seth Gross put on against Desanto recently, he is my pick,” wrote the fan. Their thought reinforces how fans are basing predictions on recent form. And Gross’s technical prowess is indeed swaying opinions in this loaded field.

One fan underscored Blaze’s prodigious talent, noting his win over the seasoned senior Daton Fix. They reflected, “Marcus Blaze beat Fix in the World Team trials as a seventeen-year-old HS junior.” Such a comment fuels the excitement around Blaze. Moreover, it justifies why fans are buzzing over a teenager who’s already shaken up the hierarchy in the 61kg bracket.

Fix’s consistency makes him a favorite, but the mention of Davino as a sleeper pick highlights how unpredictable this lineup is. Highlighting the same, one X user added, “I’m gonna go Fix as the favorite and my dark horse to take the crown is Davino.” The variety of threats makes the 61kg bracket not just top-heavy but rich with upset potential, driving fan debate.

Another commenter mentioned, “Don’t disrespect Marcus Blaze like that.” They defended Blaze’s credibility among senior elites, signaling how quickly the high schooler has earned his stripes. The reaction captures the polarizing hype around Blaze—some see him as future potential; others already count him among the best. Thus, with things looking interesting, it remains to be seen what happens next.