‘Short king’ energy: 5’5″ wrestler wins big, celebrates even bigger with his 6’2″ girlfriend
A heartwarming moment from the NCAA Wrestling Championships is taking the internet by storm—not just for the victory itself, but for the celebration that followed.
Lucas Byrd, a standout wrestler from the University of Illinois, clinched the national title in the 133-pound weight class at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Standing at 5-foot-6, Byrd delivered an impressive performance, overcoming Drake Ayala of the University of Iowa. But while his skills on the mat were undeniable, it was his post-match celebration that truly stole the show.
As soon as the referee declared him the winner, Byrd didn’t waste a second—he sprinted off the mat straight into the arms of his girlfriend, Ellie Holzman. The 6-foot-2 former Illinois volleyball player hugged him in a moment of pure joy, their height difference making for a visually striking and endearing embrace.
Credit: Instagram/@ellieholzman
Holzman later shared her excitement on social media, posting a heartfelt tribute to Byrd’s hard-fought victory.
“You freaking did it, baby! NATIONAL CHAMPION!” she wrote on Instagram, sharing photos of their celebratory moment. “I am so beyond proud of you. Coming back after a gnarly injury, rehab/recovery, and medical redshirt season to go all the way to the top. My SUPERSTAR!!!! The world is yours ILL.”
While Holzman played volleyball for Illinois from 2019 to 2021, Byrd is now in his final year as a collegiate wrestler. With a national title under his belt and a viral moment to his name, he’s closing out his college career on an unforgettable high note.
Netizens react
The video, reposted by a social media meme page, has garnered over 12.3 million views. Thousands of people reacted to the video and cheered on the couple. One user said, “Inspiring short kings across the globe, W.” Another said, “A strong confident Man on the mat & off of it. Most men would feel intimidated by a Woman that tall.”
A third user remarked, “A true testament to the power of love and height disparity! Forget the championship; it’s the grandiose embrace that steals the show. They say behind every champion is an equally impressive partner—guess Lucas thrives on both love and lofty support!”
This isn’t the first time Byrd and Holzman have captured online attention. The couple shares their journey on TikTok, where they’ve built a following of nearly 420,000 fans, with their videos racking up over 55 million likes.
