Wrestling is one of the oldest combat sports in the world.

Later this week the Pan American Championships, an international wrestling competition, will take place in Mexico City.

A young athlete from San Antonio will be among the competitors.

Wrestling is not for the faint of heart.

“There has to be something that’s either not quite right in your head, or something that’s way too right in your head if you really want to excel,” said Joey Ulloa.

Tristyn Ulloa is someone who excels at wrestling.

“It’s a grind,” said Tristyn Ulloa. “Honestly, I kind of fell in love with after a while. It’s like almost addicting.”

“His levels just continue to climb every time he competes,” said Steve Horton, a coach at NB Elite Wrestling Club.

Ulloa is about to go into his sophomore year at Johnson High School. He’s been wrestling for almost his entire life.

“He’s always been around it,” said Joey Ulloa, Tristyn’s father. “He started just a couple of months shy of his fourth birthday.”

Now at the age of 15, Tristyn is quickly becoming one of the top wrestlers in the state of Texas. And now he’s making a name for himself on the national stage.

“It was my first time doing it,” said Tristyn. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect.”

Back at the end of April, Tristyn was wrestling in Las Vegas at the U.S. Open.

“It was an insane last match,” said Tristyn. “Very very fun. Very very interesting too.”

Ulloa dominated the competition, going undefeated in his weight class, becoming the U15 Greco-Roman Champion and earning the honor of Outstanding Wrestler as well.

“To go into a tournament like that and run the gauntlet and win it, and not just win it, be outstanding wrestler in it, that that that shows a lot about him,” said Horton.

Tristyn’s performance also earned him the chance to represent the United States at the Pan-American Championships.

“I think Rita and I, my wife and I, were more excited than he was,” said Joey.

Tristyn trains year-round at NB Elite Wrestling Club.

Former state champion wrestlers who have also trained here hang in the rafters.

His coach at the club, Steve Horton, says Ulloa has got what it takes to join them.

“He doesn’t let anything get bigger than it is. He keeps everything in perspective,” said Horton.

After winning the U.S. Open, Tristyn says he doesn’t feel any extra pressure as he gears up for his first appearance on an international stage.

“I feel more free. If anything,” said Tristyn. “It’s just really fun to be out here working for it.

“I just want him to realize that you know he belongs there,” said Joey.

Wrestling isn’t for the faint of heart.

Those supporting Tristyn believe this could be the first of many opportunities to compete at the international level.

“The more experience you can get at these kind of things at this age that he’s at, it’s going to pay dividends down the road.” said Horton.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Tristyn. “I mean, it’s the reason I’m going there, I’m just gonna have fun with whatever I do.

Tristyn and his traveling party leave for Mexico City on Tuesday.

Ulloa is believed to be the first wrestler from the San Antonio area to qualify for the U15 Pan-American squad.

Once the high school wrestling season starts, Tristyn says his goal is to become the first state champion wrestler at Johnson High School.