Trent Hidlay to Pursue Second World Title in Kazakhstan
The NC State standout enters the 2026 Senior World Championships on October 31 as the top seed in the 92 kg weight class.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Wrestling
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Trent Hidlay heads to the 2026 Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan to defend his world title beginning October 31, 2026. The Raleigh-based wrestler enters the tournament as the top seed for the 92 kg weight class.
Why it matters
Hidlay aims to secure his second consecutive senior-level world title after a dominant season that included victories at the Zagreb Open and the Senior Pan-Am Championships. His performance in Kazakhstan will determine if he can successfully defend the title he captured in September 2025.
Hidlay earned his U.S. World Team spot by defeating Michael Macchiavello in a best-of-three series. He carries momentum from 92 kg class wins at both the Zagreb Open and the Senior Pan-Am Championships held earlier this year.
The players
Trent Hidlay
An elite wrestler who has trained at the NC State Wrestling program since 2018 and is a reigning senior-level world champion.
Michael Macchiavello
A competitive wrestler who faced Hidlay in the Final X series to determine the U.S. representative for the 2026 World Team.
The details
To prepare for the championship, Hidlay trained in Raleigh alongside international competitors from Japan and France. He enters the competition with a proven track record, having won his first senior-level world title in September 2025 with a 13-10 victory in the final match.
Timeline
Trent Hidlay began training at the NC State Wrestling program in the summer of 2018.
Hidlay won his first senior-level World title in September 2025.
Hidlay won the 92 kg weight class at the Zagreb Open in February 2026.
Hidlay won the 92 kg weight class at the Senior Pan-Am Championships in May 2026.
Competition for the 92 kg qualification rounds begins on October 31, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Hidlay's campaign follows a pattern set by the NC State Wrestling program, which has become a consistent pipeline for producing top-tier international competitors. His success at the 2026 Senior World Championships would solidify his standing as a central figure in American wrestling.
Hidlay enters the tournament as the top seed, placing him in a favorable position for the 92 kg bracket starting October 31. His best-of-three victory over Michael Macchiavello, which included scores of 2-1 and 8-3, highlights the high-scoring technical capability he brings to the mat.
The takeaway
Hidlay's preparation in Raleigh with international partners demonstrates the importance of global training collaborations for elite performance. Consistency in training and high-level competition remain the primary drivers for wrestlers looking to secure consecutive world titles.
What happens next
The 92 kg weight class qualification rounds and semifinals begin on October 31, 2026, followed by the medal matches on November 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local athletes competing on the international stage, visit the Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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