Yonger Bastida is known like a Wrestling entity with the capacity to deliver the highest performances representing Iowa State. He belonged to Cuba and his real story shows the chances when he recovered and overcame stress to write his name among the best athletes in the terms of wrestling.
Personal Basic Information
| Full Name | Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares |
| Nick Name | The Cuban Heavyweight |
| Weight Category | 129.2 kg (285 lbs) |
| Father’s Name | Not listed publicly |
| Mother’s Name | Not listed publicly |
| Date of Birth (Born) | 19 September 1999 |
| Birth Place | Trinidad, Cuba |
| Current Age | Age: 26 years, 5 months, and 28 days as of today. Time left for next birthday: 6 months and 2 days. |
| Height | 6’0” (183 cm) |
| Weight | 74.9 kg (165 lbs) |
| Net worth | Private Data |
| Marriage Status | Unmarried |
| Wife Name | Not Applicable |
| Kids Name | Does not have kids |
| High school | EIDE Lino Salabarria Pupo (Cuba) |
| Nationality | Cuban |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Current Team Name | Iowa State Cyclones |
Net Worth
His status as a Big 12 Champion makes him a valuable figure for sponsorship within Wrestling Community but his net worth is kept private due to his contracts.
Early Life and Childhood
Bastida was like other athletic kids and thus he joined a special school for sports. EIDE Lino Salabarria Pupo served as a school as well as a training centre where Bastida could prepare his wrestling techniques.
Wrestling Brotherhood was a trio band of wrestlers formed by Anthony Echemendia, Osmany Diversent and Bastida during their childhood days. They were reunited as teammates at Iowa State where they called themselves THE FAMILY.
Education and the Beginning of Sports Career
Bastida attended school for sports. He spent around 10 years to train with his team mates Anthony and Osmany, who were also his classmates. In the year 2019, he won at various competitions such as the Junior Pan American Championships.
His higher education was managed by Coach Kevin Dresser. Bastida already showed his strength while coming from such an underprivileged background. Along with his athletic career, he collected spot on the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team (2024) and got his named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll multiple times (2023-25).
Bastida had no experience in folkstyle wrestling before arriving at Iowa State. He spent his first year learning the specific rules and techniques of the folk style, beginning at 197 lbs before Heavyweight 285 lbs for the 2023-24 season.
Professional Career
Yonger is currently a redshirt senior at Iowa State University. He has been practicing for his NCAA title. Due to a knee injury, he had missed 2024-25 season. However, he entered the competition with more stronger numbers. He has received rank 1 at Heavyweight 285 lbs nationwide in the year 2025.
Yonger set an example with an undefeated series during the 2025-26 season with 12-0 in Nashville. His strength make him an athlete to get selected in professional MMA like Yoel Romero. His training at Cyclone Regional Training Center grew his chances for the future.
Achievements/ Awards/ Medals
He has won a gold medal at the 2019 Junior Pan American Championships at 92 kg in Guatemala City and received 2nd place at 97 kg in Estonia.
His achievements include the 2020 Granma y Cerro Pelado International Championship where he defeated U.S. National Champion Hayden Zillmer. During the same event for the 2019 edition, he defeated NCAA champion Kyven Gadson in the semi-finals.
His Collegiate performances comprises of victorious spot for the Heavyweight title becoming Iowa State’s first individual CKLV champion since 2014.
Married Life and Family
Though Bastida is a social and friendly athlete but according to reports he has been maintaining distance with female counterparts. He does not have siblings and yet not married as per the records.
Bastida has frequently shared that his family resides in Cuba and has seen his family as his primary reason to become what he is now and identified as a Cuban wrestler, Bastida reflects the values and heritage for his culture.
Primary support has been given by his fellow Cuban wrestlers whenever he felt loneliness and was unable to consume the information or whenever Bastida looked for motivation.
Yonger Bastida – FAQs
How did Yonger Bastida end up at Iowa State without knowing English?
He relied entirely on his wrestling family and intensive language programs at Iowa State.
Why did he move from 197 lbs to Heavyweight?
After moving to Heavyweight (285 lbs) in 2023, he remained undefeated for the entire 2024 regular season, proving that his speed was a disadvantage for larger and slower heavyweights.