ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club has added former Maryland heavyweight standout Youssif Hemida to its 2019-20 senior-level freestyle roster, the club announced on Monday (Aug. 5). Hemida, a two-time NCAA All-American (2018, ’19), will compete internationally in the 125kg/275-pound freestyle weight class.
“We look forward to Youssif joining our team and bringing his enthusiasm, motivation and hard work to the mat,” said Michigan head coach Sean Bormet. “He is very excited about competing at the international level, and I see a ton of potential in him. He will be a great contributor to our wrestling room. He will add a lot of value to what is already one of the top upperweight rooms in the country.”
A collegiate standout at Maryland (2016-19), Hemida was a two-time NCAA All-American at heavyweight, claiming eighth place as a junior (2018) and sixth as a senior (2019), and a three-time NCAA qualifier. He was the eighth multi-time All-American in Maryland program history.
Hemida was ranked as high as fourth nationally as a senior, posted a 21-9 record and placed third at the Big Ten Championships — the highest placement for Maryland wrestler at the conference tournament since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten. He was a three-time Terp team captain and compiled an 86-44 career record, including a 51-17 mark over his final two seasons.
Hemida also represented the United States at the 2018 U23 World Championships in Bucharest, Romania, where he claimed the freestyle silver medal at 125kg.
Originally from Mamaroneck, New York, Hemida will relocate to Ann Arbor this month.
