For David Taylor and Zahid Valencia, everything’s different. As recently as 5 months ago, Taylor and Valencia were locking horns on the mats. But their bout at the 2024 US World Team Trials was to be their last. Now, Taylor is the head coach of Oklahoma State University’s wrestling program. And Valencia Well, he’s still competing. But in an unexpected twist, Valencia is now being coached by none other than his former rival David Taylor at OSU’s RTC. It’s a partnership that appears destined for international success.
Valencia’s desire for a change in coaching environment led him to the Cowboys’ RTC. And Taylor’s presence has made all the difference. Speaking to FloWrestling, Valencia said that the former Olympic champion helped him in weight management, hasn’t tried to change his wrestling style, and has been a great font of knowledge and experience. The change has been wholly positive, which is also reflected in Valencia’s competitive results most recently at the Zagreb Open.
Spencer Lee (57), Joey McKenna (65), David Carr (74), and Zahid Valencia (86) all advanced to the Finals over at the first Ranking Series today. Medal matches start at Noon ET on Flo. pic.twitter.com/6LAqO9VL3A
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) February 5, 2025
Although it’s just the first ranking tournament of the season, Zahid Valencia has stormed his way to the finals. He will look to put all of Taylor’s teachings to the test and add another medal to his tally as he faces Arsenii Dzhioev. Heading into the bout, Valencia appears to be in good spirits, as he shared a training photo on social media where he was all smiles. And speaking of social media, his coach clearly has him in mind despite the frenetic NCAA season; Taylor also re-shared a post about his student’s big match on Instagram.
Valencia has enjoyed international success in the past. He is, after all, a former world bronze medalist. So why would he upend his routine, his life in Arizona, and risk it all to move miles away to Oklahoma and train at the Cowboys’ RTC?
Keeping the Olympic dream alive with David Taylor
Ultimately, Zahid Valencia needed a change. Although he didn’t want to leave home, the choice was simple. Ultimately, the Olympics were at stake. Especially because Valencia had already lost one chance in 2024. “You know that’s my goal, you know, winning gold at the Olympics, so it was tough, especially the way it went down with the singlet pull, having it at Penn State. Everything just felt so weird, so bad, and so it was tough, and I was hurt for a little bit.”
But Valencia was able to shake that heartbreak off and set his sights on the future. And it meant turning to OSU and David Taylor. He felt that that’s what would give him the best chance for LA 2028. “I called David, you know,” said Valencia. “He was on board, and I knew as much as they could help me, I could help Oki State. And I think you kind of see that it just elevates everyone.”
There is nothing like learning from your opponent. David Taylor is in a unique position in that, having fought Valencia, he’s aware of his strengths and weaknesses on the deepest level. As noted by Valencia, Taylor can coach him on the strategies he used while wrestling Valencia, thus preparing him for all possibilities.
The Cowboys’ head coach is also well aware of the areas that Valencia struggles in. Such an in-depth analysis could certainly give the 27-year-old a competitive advantage that is not available to his opponents. Furthermore, if Valencia wants to earn an Olympic medal, who better to train under than a former Olympic champion?
It remains to be seen if Zahid Valencia will triumph in Zagreb, though he’s guaranteed a medal. But his time with David Taylor has already yielded the first of hopefully many results. Earlier in the year, Valencia cinched gold at the Dan Kolov & Nikola Petrov Tournament. The win was a significant one, as it was his first international medal since 2023. If he can keep his hot streak going with Taylor’s help, the Olympics may no longer remain a dream for Zahid Valencia.
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