Stefano Garcia

Stefano Garcia-Valdes
Florida State Champion 2026
European U17 Bronze Medalist 2026
3x Team Italy – 2026 U17 World Championships
Student-Athlete | Civil Engineering Student
Hialeah, Florida, USA

"Dreams are earned through hard work, and I am willing to work for mine every single day."

Meet Stefano Garcia-Valdes

My name is Stefano Garcia-Valdes, and I am a 17-year-old student-athlete from Hialeah, Florida, with a dream that I work for every single day.

What began as a passion for wrestling has become a journey of discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and personal growth. Through years of dedication and countless hours of training, I have earned the opportunity to compete among the best young wrestlers in the world.

Today, I am proud to be a Florida State Champion, a European U17 Bronze Medalist, and a member of Team Italy, representing my country at the 2026 U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

My commitment extends far beyond the wrestling mat. While pursuing my athletic goals, I am also completing Dual Enrollment studies in Civil Engineering at Miami Dade College, earning college credits while still in high school. I strongly believe that success is built through excellence in both education and athletics.

My family's journey has taught me the value of hard work, gratitude, and resilience. Every tournament, every practice, and every achievement represents years of sacrifice made by my parents and the unwavering support of a family that believes in my dreams.

I am not simply pursuing medals. I am building a future. My goal is to become a leader, a role model for other young athletes, and a person who represents his community, family, and country with pride and integrity.

As I continue my journey toward the highest levels of international wrestling, I am seeking partners who believe in the power of dedication, education, and character. Your support is not only an investment in an athlete—it is an investment in a young man determined to make a positive impact on the world.

Behind every achievement I have earned stands a family that has sacrificed everything to help me pursue my dreams.

My parents were born in Cuba and made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of greater opportunities for our family. Their journey took them through different countries before finally building a life in the United States. Along the way, they faced uncertainty, challenges, and countless sacrifices, but they never gave up on the hope of creating a better future for their children.

My mother and father have taught me that success is earned through hard work, honesty, perseverance, and gratitude. They have spent years supporting my wrestling career, often putting my goals ahead of their own. From long drives to tournaments and training sessions to the financial and personal sacrifices required to compete at the highest level, they have always believed in me, even during the most difficult moments.

As a family, we believe that dreams are achieved through dedication and commitment. The values my parents have instilled in me have shaped me not only into the athlete I am today, but also into the student and young man I strive to become.

Every medal I earn, every competition I enter, and every goal I achieve is a reflection of the sacrifices, love, and support of my family. Their example inspires me every day to work harder, dream bigger, and represent them with pride wherever my journey takes me.

Thank you for taking the time to learn my story and for believing in the dreams of young people who are willing to work tirelessly to achieve them.

Sincerely,

Stefano Garcia-Valdes

Florida State Champion | European Bronze Medalist | Team Italy World Championship Athlete | Civil Engineering Student