Zain Retherford

Zain Retherford is one of the most decorated American wrestlers of his generation—and a forward-thinking leader dedicated to growing the sport and the people within it. As Chief Strategy Officer at the National Wrestling and Performance Center (NWPC), Zain works alongside NWPC leadership to drive strategic growth, develop programming, and expand the organization’s national reach.

A 3X NCAA Champion and 4X All-American at Penn State, Zain also earned two Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation’s most outstanding collegiate wrestler. He continued his success on the international stage as a 2023 World Champion, 2022 World Silver Medalist, and 2024 Olympian. He holds an MBA in Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Penn State.

Zain balances his role at NWPC with his ongoing work as a coach and athlete at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He is also the founder of Zain Train LLC, an educational platform that has reached thousands of youth athletes and coaches nationwide.

Zain’s blend of high-performance excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and passion for mentoring make him a key driver in NWPC’s mission to build champions—on the mat and in life.