Mo Lawal (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Jan. 16-22.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday.

Lawal won a gold medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. on the first day of the Takhti Cup of freestyle wrestling on Jan. 18 in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Lawal defeated Amir Moradi Gangi of Iran in the gold-medal finals, 1-0, 2-0.

In the finals, Lawal used his explosive power with a leg attack as he drove Moradi Gangi out of bounds for the only point of the first period. He duplicated the feat twice in the second period to earn his 2-0 victory and the gold medal.

Lawal was a 2005 U.S. World Team member at 84 kg/185 lbs. He placed seventh at the 2005 World Championships.

Lawal placed third at the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials at 84 kg. He has moved up one weight class to 96 kg this season.

Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org