Kyle Dake started wrestling when he was barely four. This was bound to happen, as he belonged to a lineage of wrestlers. His grandfather started the tradition when he was a wrestling coach. Doug Dake, his father, would extend this wrestling success as he became an NCAA all-American in 1985. Kyle would finally make the family get recognition in the world of wrestling after having an absolutely amazing college career and then winning the bronze medal in Tokyo. Kyle’s collegiate career consists of one of the best catalogs a wrestler could ever have.

His record was 137-4, which in itself is a huge achievement, and very few can match that. But what really makes it special is the fact that he went on a 77-match win streak while attaining that record. He would also win the NCAA title every single year during his college career. The talent was evident, and he just had to be nurtured in the right direction to be able to showcase it to the world. His father, Doug, helped him massively in doing so and was a major influence throughout his career. Thus, it was bound to hurt him when he passed away before arguably the biggest competition of his career, the Paris Olympics trials.

Kyle Dake’s Journey Through Pain and Perseverance After His Father’s Passing

Kyle Dake was terribly devastated by his father’s death. Doug was his biggest fan, and they overcame every problem the world threw at them. He felt invincible when he had him by his side. The trials were the first time he stepped onto the mats since that event. As a sort of tribute, he sported a necklace with an inscription of his father’s hand that didn’t have the little finger. He then announced on social media that he would use this on his shoes too.

But after his successful qualification for the Olympics, there was no sign of delight on his face. Instead, he faced the fact that his father was really gone and wouldn’t ever come back to celebrate with him. What really makes it tragic is that it was probably one of Kyle’s biggest wins in his career to date because it booked his ticket to the games. He said, “I wish he was here, you know I wanted to do him proud and it’s hard to find the words to say how much he means to me.” It was tough for his admirers to see him like this.

Dake’s father, Doug, was his biggest cheerleader

In his own admission, Kyle Dake has said that his father was the one who ignited his love for the sport. During his college career, Dake chose the University of Cornell because his father was coaching there. Thus, Doug has molded him and made him a better wrestler. It is tough for him to move on from his passing.

But he has a very supportive family by his side to help him do so. His mother, Jodi Dake, is a housewife. She has always seen to it that everything goes well on the home front. Megan Dake, his wife, and his three children will also support him no matter what. They will all be cheering for him when he attempts to win his second Olympic medal in Paris. If he does it, his whole family will be proud, including his father.