Iowa may have the most passionate and enthusiastic wrestling fans in the nation, and the rest of the world has taken notice. Iowa City has been awarded the 2018 Freestyle World Cup. The top eight international men's freestyle wrestling teams will be competing at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

USA Wrestling confirmed the announcement on Twitter Wednesday.

USA Wrestling's Rich Bender said he's thrilled with the decision:

USA Wrestling is extremely pleased that the Freestyle World Cup is returning to the United States in 2018. We are excited to partner with our hosts at the University of Iowa ... Iowa City is one of the greatest wrestling cities in the world and Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a historic location that will be a spectacular showcase for our sport.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena was also the host site for the 2012 & 2016 Olympic Team Trials. The 2012 event smashed the attendance record for a U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling, with a two-day total of 54,766.

Kinnick Stadium hosted a dual meet between Iowa & Oklahoma State in November 2015. The "Grapple on the Gridiron" brought in 42,287 patrons--the most ever for a wrestling dual.

Iowa City welcomes the Freestyle World Cup April 21-22, 2018. Read more HERE.

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