USA Deaf Wrestling (USADW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, as well as adult men’s and women’s wrestling across the United States. Founded in 2021, USADW serves as the official wrestling organization for Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes nationwide.
USADW is a recognized chapter of USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport of wrestling in the United States. As part of this partnership, USADW is responsible for the selection, development, and training of USA Deaf Wrestling representative teams for national and international competitions.
Our National Men’s Team is led by Head Coach John Dolezal, a former Deaflympic wrestler with extensive experience competing at the international level. The National Women’s Wrestling Team is led by Head Coach Elizabeth Sewell, who provides leadership and high-performance training for our women athletes.
Our coaching staff is primarily Deaf and/or uses American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate directly with wrestlers during practices and competitions, ensuring full accessibility and culturally aligned coaching.
Looking ahead, USADW is actively preparing athletes to compete at the 2027 World Deaf Wrestling Championships and the 2029 Deaflympics in Athens, Greece. These prestigious international events provide Deaf athletes the opportunity to represent the United States on the world stage while showcasing excellence in wrestling and Deaf culture.
Through elite training, leadership development, and community support, USADW is committed to empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing wrestlers to achieve success both on and off the mat.