Vito Arujau


Vitali Arujau is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. In freestyle, he is a US National bronze medalist, two-time age-group World silver medalist and a UWW Cadet US National champion. As a folkstyle wrestler, Arujau is an NCAA All-American and EIWA runner-up out of Cornell University and a four-time NYSPHSAA champion with a 216-1 record as a high schooler. As of May 16, 2020, he is ranked #21 in the NCAA pound-for-pound rankings and #3 in the 125-pounds rankings.

High School

Arujau attended Syosset High School in Syosset, New York. He started wrestling in the varsity team as an eight grader and placed second in the state tournament that year, after losing to eventual teammate Yianni Diakomihalis in the 99-pounds finals. After his setback in the state finals, he never lost a single match in his high school career and ended up with a 216-1 record and four NYSPHSAA titles.

University

When he was a two-time state champion, Arujau committed to Cornell University and made his way there after his legendary run as a four-time state champion.

2018-19

Freshman; Started off competing at 133 pounds and went 5-1 before moving down to 125 pounds. After moving down, he compiled 26 wins and 3 more losses. In the post-season, he made his way to the finals of the EIWA Conference Championships, where he lost to Pat Glory in a tight 8-10. As the eight seed at the NCAA's, he defeated his first two opponents via major decision before falling to Northwestern's Sebastian Rivera, the top seed. He rebounded in the consolation bracket, earning victories over the fourteenth, fourth and second seeds but lost once again to Rivera to place fourth and earn All-American honors.

2020-21

Sophomore; After redshirting 19'-20', Arujau will return to the NCAA in this season and he is likely to compete at 133 pounds.

Freestyle

Cadet & Junior

As an age-group level wrestler, Arujau was a two-time World Silver medalist and a UWW and USAW National Champion.

Senior & U23

2018

Arujau made his senior freestyle debut at the U23 Nationals in early June. He won all of his seven matches and outscored the opposition 90 points to 5, including technical fall victories over the accomplished wrestlers Roman Bravo-Young and Nick Piccininni. He was then expected to compete at the U23 World Championships, but was forced to pull out.

2019

He made his return at the US Open in late April. He reached the quarterfinals with a series of victories but was defeated by that year's Pan American Games champion Daton Fix. He reached the bronze medal match with ones over the eight and third seeds but was finally defeated by eventual US National champion Zane Richards.
At the end of the year, he competed at the US Nationals of December. He reached the semifinals with three wins before losing to the heavily decorated and winner of the championship Spencer Lee. In the consolation bracket, he defeated one more opponent and earned the third place finish after Suriano forfeited the final match.

2020

Arujau was scheduled to compete at the 20' US Olympic Team Trials on April 4 at State College, Pennsylvania. However, the event was postponed for 2021 along with the Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving all the qualifiers unable to compete.
Arujau wrestled Rutgers' Sammy Alvarez on July 25th, at. He defeated Alvarez by technical fall in the second period.

Personal life

Vitali is one of the three sons of the accomplished Russian wrestler Vugar Orujov.

Freestyle record

! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches
! Res.
! Record
! Opponent
! Score
! Date
! Event
! Location
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Austin, Texas
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Fort Worth, Texas
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Las Vegas, Nevada
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Akron, Ohio
! style=background:white colspan=7 |
Akron, Ohio

NCAA record

! colspan="8"| NCAA Championships Matches
! Res.
! Record
! Opponent
! Score
! Date
! Event
! style=background:white colspan=6 |2019 NCAA Championships 4th at 125 lbs

Stats

! Season
! Year
! School
! Rank
! Weigh Class
! Record
! Win
! Bonus

Collegiate awards & records