Justin Ruiz
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| Born | February 16, 1979 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | Greco-Roman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Nebraska | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | New York Athletic Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | USA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Justin Ruiz (born February 16, 1979) is an American former Greco-Roman wrestler. He represented the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling six-times at the World Wrestling Championships. At the 2005 World Championships, he earned a bronze medal at 96 kg.[1] Ruiz was also a two-time Pan American Games medalist, winning gold at 96 kg in 2007.
Wrestling career
Ruiz wrestled at Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Utah, where he was a three-time Utah state champion.[2] He then attended the University of Nebraska, where he was a two-time NCAA wrestling All-American.[3]
Following college, he made the transition to competing in Greco-Roman wrestling full-time.[4] Ruiz won a bronze medal at 96 kg at the 2005 World Championships. Along with that, he was a six-time USA World Team member, ten-time USA National Team member, two-time Olympic alternate, two-time USA Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year, four-time Pan American Champion, a World Cup Silver Medalist, and a member of the first and only USA Greco-Roman Team to win a World Championship in 2007.[5]
Following his competitive career, Ruiz has continued to help support USA Wrestling, being named Director of Donor & Alumni Relations for USA Wrestling in 2022.[6]
References
- ^ Hands, Timothy. (March 4, 2020). An Oral History of Justin Ruiz's Bronze at the 2005 Worlds. Five Point Move. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Justin Ruiz - Wrestling 2002-03 - Huskers.com. huskers.com. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Justin Ruiz. nwhof.org. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Phipps, Erin. (January 18, 2006). FEATURE: Greco-Roman star Justin Ruiz builds from an October to remember with a World medal and marriage. USA Wrestling. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Justin Ruiz - Assistant Coach, Wrestling. Utah Valley University Athletics. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Abbott, Gary. (November 9, 2022). Justin Ruiz named Director of Donor & Alumni Relations for USA Wrestling. USA Wrestling. Retrieved May 8, 2025.