There is a special kind of pride that resonates throughout the Philadelphia wrestling community when one of their own steps onto the global stage. They see the tough workouts, the grueling hand-fighting battles inside wrestling rooms, and the relentless grit forged in the heart of the city. When a Philly wrestler takes that preparation and translates it into international success, the local scene tends to feel the elevation.
That spirit of Philadelphia toughness recently secured its place on the international stage.
Drexel University wrestling alumnus Jordan Soriano has qualified to represent the Philippines in freestyle wrestling at the upcoming 2026 United World Wrestling (UWW) Senior World Championships. Competing at 65kg, the former Dragon anchor captured the Philippine Senior National Championship, punching his ticket to face the absolute best wrestlers on the planet.
For Drexel Head Coach Matt Azevedo, seeing a program alumnus reach the peak of international wrestling marks a historic milestone for the team and the university.
"It is so awesome to see all of Jordan's hard work paying off," said Azevedo. "It's always been a goal to have a Drexel wrestler competing at the World Championships, and it is very exciting that Jordan has made that a reality."
Every great international run has an origin story. Jordan Soriano’s journey to the Philippine National Championship reads with the kind of authentic spontaneous belief that defines true competitors.
After wrapping up a grueling NCAA career, Soriano took four and a half months away from competitive wrestling. His body craved rest, and his mind needed a break from the relentless grind of Division I athletics. However, pure competitors rarely stay quiet for long.
During a family trip in mid-summer, a spark lit a fire inside him.
“It’s funny actually, I was on vacation in the Philippines in July, and the idea popped into my head and wouldn’t leave me alone,” Soriano says. “So I eventually met up with Head Coach Bill Sullivan at the end of July, and had about 5 weeks to prepare after taking four and a half months off after last NCAA season. It was a little last minute, but I knew I had what it took to compete and ultimately earn my spot on the team.”
Going from over four months off the mat to peak World Team trial conditioning in just five weeks is an absolute test of physical and mental fortitude. It required discipline, dialing-in weight, sharpening technical precision, and rebuilding a competitive mindset on an accelerated timeline.
When the whistles blew at the Philippine Senior National Championship, Soriano proved that his inner belief was backed by real substance. He navigated the 65kg bracket, claimed the national title, and earned the honor of wearing the flag on the world stage.
“It felt amazing to finally be part of the Philippines national team,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country through wrestling and I’m excited for what’s next to come.”
To understand how Soriano put together a championship performance in five weeks of preparation, you have to look at the foundation built during his four years in Philadelphia.
Hailing from Westbury, N.Y., where he was a New York State Champion at W.T. Clarke High School, Soriano brought an elite high school pedigree to University City. At Drexel, he quickly became a staple of consistency and toughness for the Dragons.
Throughout his four-year career as a starter at 141 lbs, Soriano amassed 68 career victories, qualified for the NCAA National Tournament, and served as a major points contributor while being a leader inside the room. Beyond the stat sheet, his time spent training in the Philadelphia wrestling community with the Dragon Wrestling Club exposed him to elite competition day in and day out.
Soriano credits that exact Philadelphia wrestling culture for giving him the unwavering poise required to conquer a national tournament on short notice.
“My experience wrestling in Philly for Drexel and the Dragon Wrestling Club helped me prepare by instilling in me the belief that I belong with the best guys in the world,” he says. “I never counted myself out just because of what happened in the past or my circumstances now. My preparation and my belief in myself is what made the difference between making a team or not. And getting myself from back to zero all the way to my best shape and mindset again in only 5 weeks proved that.”
That mindset, knowing that your preparation in the room translates anywhere in the world, is the hallmark of Philly wrestling. Whether stepping onto the mat at the EIWA Championships or under the bright lights of an international venue, the standard remains identical.
The 2026 United World Wrestling Senior World Championships will take place from October 24 to November 1 inside the world-class Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event features top international talent across Men's Freestyle, Men's Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling. Originally scheduled to be hosted in Bahrain, United World Wrestling relocated the marquee tournament to Astana, a city with a rich history of hosting major world wrestling events.
For Soriano, competing at 65kg in freestyle wrestling means entering one of the most explosive and deeply talented weight classes in the world. But as his journey has proven, Soriano isn't just going to participate, he wants to show he belongs on the mat with the world's best.
Behind every champion stands a circle of dedicated coaches, training partners, and family members who share in the sacrifices. As Soriano prepares to represent the Philippines on the world stage, he remains deeply grounded in appreciation for everyone who supported his wrestling journey from Long Island to Philadelphia.
“I would like to thank my parents for their love and support for me, my coaches and teammates at Drexel, Coach Johnny Arceri from Long Island University, and my club Savage Wrestling Academy, Coach Justin Accordino and my teammates and partners as well. Without you all, I wouldn’t be where I am. I’m extremely grateful to have the support that I do.”
Son of Jaime and Tricia Soriano, and older brother to Justin and Jacob, Soriano carries the pride of his family, his heritage, and his adopted wrestling home of Philadelphia into this next chapter.
Jordan Soriano’s qualification for the Senior World Championships is more than an individual triumph; it is a milestone for Drexel University, the Dragon Wrestling Club, and the Philadelphia wrestling community. It demonstrates to every young athlete working in regional training centers and college rooms across the region that the path from university can lead directly to the top of the world.
As Soriano dials in his final preparations for Astana, the entire Philly Wrestling community stands behind him. Many are looking forward to watching him represent his heritage, his family, and the toughness forged right here in the city on the world stage this October.