Former Penn State wrestler and world champion David Taylor will not get the chance to defend his title.

Taylor suffered a knee injury in Beat the Streets, a charity All-Star wrestling event in New York City, on May 17. Taylor then announced on May 24 he would not be able to return in time to wrestle for his spot on the world team in Final X.

In his announcement, Taylor stated he is “post-op” which could mean he had surgery. 

You can watch video of the injury here on Flowrestling.com.

Team USA will now have upstart Pat Downey represent the country at the World Championships with Taylor unable to wrestle at Final X. Downey was set to take on Taylor at Final X Rutgers at 86 kg for the world team spot.

Taylor is a two-time NCAA champion for the Nittany Lions and is coming off of his first World Championship.

Downey spent time wrestling at Nebraska, Iowa Central Community College, Iowa State and Iowa.