AJ Ferrari’s wrestling journey reads like a perfect three-act novel. It has the highest of highs, the most dramatic in-betweens, and, of course, the winning final act. Ferrari’s name first hit the limelight after he joined Oklahoma State University (OSU). During his 2020-21 season, he put OSU on the charts for wrestling. He went on to win the NCAA individual title in the 197-pound category. And Ferrari did not just win. He took down Nino Bonaccorsi of Pittsburgh in a 4-2 takedown. This put him with the elites. Wondering why?

AJ Ferrari, by winning, became one of three freshmen to win a title at OSU, joining legends Richard Hutton (1947) and Pat Smith (1990). Ferrari did not stop at just NCAA wins! In the Big 12 Championship, he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Then came 2022, Ferrari’s unfortunate doomsday. Ferrari’s 10-0 run was broken after he got into a car accident that sidelined him for the season. He sure did come back, but the walk back wasn’t easy. But if there is one thing about AJ Ferrari, his family has got his back through it all.

Learn about AJ Ferrari’s wrestler brother and their family members.

AJ Ferrari is a born and raised Texan. He grew up in a big family with four siblings and his parents, Albert and Adriana Ferrari.  AJ has two sisters, Alyssa and Alexa. He also has three brothers. And guess what? It’s not just AJ in the Ferrari from the family who is carving his path on the mat. Meet Anthony Ferrari, who is also a wrestler and carries the same spirit that the world sees with AJ on the mat.

Anthony is not a name to be ignored. He has, after all, won the Oklahoma State wrestling title in 2021 and was even a finalist at the prestigious Super 32 tournament in 2020. All those wins came despite not competing in his junior year! Yet, when the year ended, Anthony was the #14 overall recruit in the class of 2022. Then came the interesting decision, where Anthony, who had chosen OSU, was AJ’s pride. But at the last moment switched to Iowa’s Hawkeyes. But that’s not all the talent in the brotherhood!

The youngest member of the Ferrari clan, Angelo Ferrari, isn’t far behind. Angelo, competing in high school wrestling events, won three consecutive state championships. And he already has the title of No. 1 pound-for-pound wrestler in the country for 2024! It is clear that something in the Ferrari genes drives the trio to perform and do better. But what is the mystery behind this winning?

AJ Ferrari’s dad explains why he wanted his kids to take up wrestling

Behind the trio of winners stands one man who wanted to give his children direction. The man behind the ferocity that the world loves is Albert Ferrari. He is also the one who sowed the seeds of wrestling in the three. Albert himself is someone who has, in his yesteryears, spent a lot of time playing sports ranging from basketball, baseball, and even some boxing and wrestling. But wrestling seems to be the one that caught AJ Ferrari’s eyes when he was just four!

Albert recalls the wrestling introduction and said, “I fell in love with wrestling, especially the father-son aspect of it.” So, how did AJ end up on the mats? Albert Ferrari is someone who grew up in a setup where he couldn’t afford to pursue the sports he loved so much. As Albert himself puts it, “It was different back then—my parents couldn’t afford to pay for anything like that. So as soon as I could afford it, I, you know, I boxed a little bit in a boxing club. But I always loved fighting, and I got in trouble sometimes with that.” 

Albert went on to disclose how he was someone who often seemed to get into trouble because of displaced rage. And he knew the price he had to pay because of it. “My perspective was if my kids have an outlet to let this out, my boys, they’re not going to get in trouble because they can let it out there.” The mat was not just a place to compete for the Ferrari brothers but a place to channel their boundless energy. And, of course, stay out of trouble!

But what happened next was rather unexpected! “But I fell in love with wrestling because I was a guy who was coaching Plano, Texas, and AJ was four, and he said, ‘Hey, you should bring your boy down, you know, and, you know, check it out because AJ was taking jujitsu at the time. And I fell in love with it, especially, you know, the father-son aspect of it,” added Albert. And this began the story of AJ on the mats. But his dad, however, did not stop at just putting his son in training.

As AJ grew more passionate about the sport, Albert was right there with him. “Every practice, I was out there, four nights a week, with all three boys,” said Albert. He took it upon himself to ensure that his boys were paying close attention to every technique, then headed home to drill for another hour on a small ten-by-ten mat in their garage. “We focused on the basics—takedowns, escapes, riding, and turning people,” he added. And that was the commitment and love that pushed AJ Ferrari to become a two-time state champion at Allen High School!

From there, AJ went on his winning spree. The rest, as they rightly say, is history. Whether it be winning titles or brewing controversy, the Ferrari clan stays together and fights it all together. And above all, the clan keeps the wrestling world on constant watchout!