Penn State Wrestling is well represented at the 2024 Olympic Games and it’s time to throw out some bold predictions for each guy involved.
The 2024 Olympic Games are in full swing and it’s only a matter of days until the wrestling action kicks off.
Roman Bravo-Young and Aaron Brooks are slated to hit the mat in the Qualification rounds on August 8th at 5:30 am EST. Meanwhile, Zain Retherford gets his Olympics going when his Qualification round starts on August 10th at 5:30 am EST.
The climb to the top of any Olympic wrestling bracket requires huge amounts of both focus and pain. All of the hours spent training in wrestling rooms across the planet culminate in the span of only a handful of days. And most years the difference between heartbreak and glory lies on either side of a razor’s edge.
So how will some of Penn State’s greatest wrestlers fair in this year’s Olympics?
One Bold Prediction for Each Penn State Wrestler in The Olympics
Mexico
Roman Bravo-Young – 57 kg
2024 Worlds Results
Gold – Stevan Micic (SRB)
Silver – Rei Higuchi (JPN)
Bronze – Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM)
Bronze – Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB)
Seeds
1. Stevan Micic (SRB)
2. Rei Higuchi (JPN)
3. Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM)
4. Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ)
5. Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB)
6. Aman Sehrawat (IND)
7. Wanhao Zou (CHN)
8. Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB)
Betting favorites
Spencer Lee (USA) -110
Stevan Micic (SRB) +160
Rei Higuchi (JPN) +500
Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) +800
Roman Bravo-Young (MEX) +1000
With the experience and depth of the group at 57 kg, it was just a huge accomplishment that RBY qualified for the Olympics. Additionally, this was Roman’s first time wrestling down at 125 pounds for many years and the transition is never easy for anyone.
Either way, his short stint at the new weight has certainly turned some heads. RBY is a perfect 12-0 dating back to the 2023 Mexico Grand Prix in early December and for the most part he’s breezed through virtually every single match.
But this is the Olympics. And the very best of the best in the world are going to butt heads in Paris. However this doesn’t mean that RBY can’t make some noise.
Bravo-Young may actually be able to surprise some guys early in the competition with his length and the fact that there isn’t much tape on him. Will this possibly get him on the podium?
I think even that is asking too much.
Bold Prediction
Roman Bravo-Young finishes 6th
Place Your Bets on Penn State’s Wrestlers at The Olympics with Bet365
USA
Zain Retherford – 65 kg
2024 Worlds Results
Gold – Ismail Musukaev (HUN)
Silver – Sebastian Rivera (PUR)
Bronze – Shamil Mamedov (RUS)
Bronze – Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM)
Seeds
1. Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM)
2. Rahman Amouzad (IRI)
3. Ismail Musukaev (HUN)
4. Sebastian Rivera (PUR)
5. Maxim Sacultan (MDA)
6. Haji Aliyev (AZE)
7. Islam Dudaev (ALB)
8. Tulga Tumur-Ochir (MGL)
Betting favorites
Ismail Musukaev (HUN) +125
Rahman Amouzad (IRI) +370
Zain Retherford (USA) + 450
Sebastian Rivera (PUR) +500
Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) +650
The field at 65 kg is one of the more wide open fields in this year’s Olympics. Furthermore, with Shamil Mamedov not being in the mix due to Russia not competing, it’s basically a free-for-all between the top four or five guys.
It’s kind of crazy to see the top seed coming in as the fifth-highest betting favorite. But that’s international wrestling for you!
And unlike Roman Bravo-Young, Zain Retherford is no stranger when it comes to wrestling on the world stage.
Retherford won bronze in the 2019 World Cup and picked up a gold at the 2023 Pan Am Championships. More importantly, he’s had high finishes in both the 2022 (silver) and 2023 (gold) World Championships.
Zain is not lacking in either experience or talent. However, age may be his only limiting factor at this stage in his wrestling career. This means that this is most likely his only shot at Olympic greatness.
And I believe he will ride off into the sunset with an Olympic medal.
Bold Prediction
Zain Retherford makes the finals and takes home the silver at 65 kg.
USA
Aaron Brooks – 86 kg
2024 Worlds Results
Gold – David Taylor (USA)
Silver – Hassan Yazdani (IRI)
Bronze – Myles Amine (SMR)
Bronze – Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ)
Seeds
1. Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ)
2. Hasan Yazdani (IRI)
3. Myles Amine (SMR)
4. Javrail Shapiev (UZB)
5. Magomed Ramazanov (BUL)
6. Bat-Erdene Byambasuren (MGL)
7. Dauren Kurugliev (GRE)
8. Hayato Ishiguro (JPN)
Betting favorites
Hassan Yazdani (IRI) -170
Aaron Brooks (USA) +110
Myles Amine (SMR) +2000
Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) +2000
Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) +2500
As you can see from the betting odds, this appears to be a two-man race at 86 kg.
Before the US Olympic Trials back in April, most people would have automatically penciled in a Yazdani/Taylor finals matchup for the second Olympics in a row.
But let’s just say that Aaron Brooks had a say in the matter.
And when you take down a three-time World champion and the reigning Olympic gold medalist at 86 kg? Two things can immediately be confirmed.
The first is simply the fact that Aaron Brooks isn’t just a great collegiate folkstyle wrestler, he’s a supreme wrestler regardless of the discipline. His strength, quickness, preparation, and mental toughness go beyond human logic.
The second item is simply the fact that immense expectations are now on his shoulders. So how will Aaron Brooks handle it?
It’s one thing to have the weight of a college fanbase on your back. But it’s something entirely different to have the weight of an entire nation looming over you.
But this is Aaron Brooks we’re talking about. And if I was literally the only wrestling writer in the country to predict he would topple David Taylor at the Olympic Trials, then I’m not stopping there.
Bold Prediction
Aaron Brooks will defeat Hassan Yazdani in the finals and win Olympic gold at 86 kg.
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Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA
Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.
And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.
Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.
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