Anthony Ashnault

Ashnault was born in Paramus, New Jersey and attended South Plainfield High School. He remained undefeated all four years of varsity with a record of 170 wins and no losses and went on to win four NJSIAA state titles at four different weight classes (103, 112, 126 & 138).[4]

After graduating, Ashnault committed to wrestle as a Scarlet Knight at Rutgers University, where he competed at 141-pounds all years but his senior year, competing at 149 instead.[3][5] As a redshirt athlete, he compiled a record of 15-3 while wrestling unattached in open tournaments.

As a freshman, he finished the season with 29 wins and 8 losses. Post-season, he placed fifth at the Big Ten Championships, becoming the highest-placing Scarlet Knight at his first tournament.[6] At the 15' NCAA's, he placed eight, earning All-American honors.[7]

As a sophomore, he compiled a 33-5 record through season. Brought Rutgers their first individual Big Ten title ever.[8] He placed fourth at the 16' NCAA's to become the first two-time All-American in the history of the program.[9]

In his junior season, he posted a record of 30-6, became a three-time All-American with a sixth-place finish at the 17' NCAA Championships[10] and won his second straight Big Ten championship.[11] Ashnault was initially unable to compete as a senior and missed the whole season due to an injury.[12]

The NCAA granted Ashnault a sixth year of eligibilty for the 2018-19 season.[12] He compiled an undefeated 32-0 record through the season, in which he competed at 149-pounds unlike his previous seasons. He won his third-consecutive Big Ten Championship[13] and also won the prestigious 19' NCAA Championship, becoming the second Scarlet Knight to do so after his fellow teammate Nick Suriano, who won the individual title in his weight class earlier in the tournament.[14]

Ashnault graduated that year with a record of 139-22.[15]

Ashnault won the University Nationals at 65 kilograms,[17] and was scheduled to compete at a best-of-three qualifier for the World University Championship against Jordan Oliver[18], but Oliver missed weight and was pulled out of the event.[19] This earned Ashnault the spot.[20] He placed tenth at the world-level tournament.[21]

Ashnault competed at the Pan American Championships on April 18. He defeated every opponent he faced in the bracket at 70 kilograms, winning the championship.[22]

Ashnault went on to compete at an exhibition bout at the annual Beat The Streets against 2017 World Championship runner-up James Green. He lost the contest by points (4-8).[23]

Ashnault competed at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in an attempt to qualify for the World Championships. He won his first two bouts to reach the finals, in which he faced James Green in a rematch. When Green was rolling Ashnaults legs to get back exposure points, Ashnault suffered a knee injury which led him to a 0-10 technical fall loss and was forced to medical forfeit the second bout, awarding Green the next victory he needed to win the best-of-three.[24][25]

After recovering from the injury, the defending champion competed at the Pan American Championships in his first competition of the year. Last year's results were repeated as Ashnault defeated every opponent he faced to become a two-time Pan American Champion. This outcome qualified him for the US Olympic Trials.[26]

Ashnault was scheduled to compete at the Olympic Trials Challenge Tournament on April, at State College, Pennsylvania, however, the event was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak, along with the Olympics.[27]

After the Olympic Trials were postponed for next year, Ashnault is now slated to compete against Luke Pletcher on July 25 at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo.[28]