Very few seem to remember that back in 2013, wrestling was nearly removed from the Olympic program. During the same IOC session in Buenos Aires where Tokyo was decided as the 2020 hosts and Thomas Bach was appointed the new president, the committee agreed to keep one of the Games‘ charter sports in tact.
Six years later, it all seems to be an afterthought. Team USA looks to be as strong as its ever been. Saturday, two Olympic gold medalists– Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder added to their well-respected resume at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima, Peru.
Burroughs pictured below, who is also a London 2012 gold medalist, shows he’s on the right track for a Rio redemption after he finished ninth in 2016. He takes gold in the men’s 74 kilogram class. This comes as the four-time world champion dominated the second period, outscoring Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico 3-1, all part of a 4-1 victory.
The other Olympic blueblood, 2016 champion Kyle Snyder dominated even more. While facing a 3-0 deficit against Jose Diaz of Venezuela, the Woodbine, Md.-native came alive in the second period, scoring all nine points in his 9-3 victory.
Finally, we could very-well see Nick Gwiazdowski of Duanesburg, N.Y. this time next year in Tokyo. In the 125 kg class, he overpowered Oscar Pino of Cuba 10-0 for the first Pan-Am gold of his career.
The other American medalist Saturday at Miguel Grau Coliseum was Patrick James Downey of Baltimore, W. Va. After he fell to Cuban Yurieski Torrealba 7-2 in the semifinals, he gained a repechage bronze against Alexander Moore of Canada as he scored all five points in the first period, en route to a 5-0 win. After seeing how well Team USA has wrestled this week in Peru– 15 medals, nine gold, there are definitely some high hopes for next summer!
Other gold medalists this week include: Whitney Conder (women’s 50 kg), Daton Fix (men’s 57 kg), Sarah Hildebrandt, pictured above (women’s 53 kg), Tamyra Mensah-Stock (women’s 68 kg), Kayla Miracle (women’s 62 kg) and Pat Smith (men’s 77 kg, Greco-Roman).
Medal Zone 