NEWS: Ex-Penn State wrestling star withdraws from 2024 Olympics

Former Penn State wrestling superstar Zain Retherford has withdrawn from the 2024 Summer Olympics as a medical precaution after suffering a head injury during his match on Saturday. Retherford suffered a loss in the first round of the 65 kg bracket to former World Champion Rahman Amouzadkhali of Iran 8-0.

Despite the loss, Retherford was eligible for the repechage, or consolation, on Sunday because Amouzadkhali won his semifinal bout. The three-time National Champion was supposed to be matched up with Islam Dudaev of Albania before he exited the tournament.

Per the official statement from USA Wrestling, Zain Retherford had previously suffered a concussion while training for the 2024 Summer Olympics but had fully recovery before arriving in Paris. His coaches and medical staff made the decision that he should withdraw from the tournament after his symptoms returned against Amouzadkhali.

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

This was the first Olympic appearance for the Nittany Lions legend, who made quite the waves after an emotional tournament run at the U.S Olympic Team Trials to clinch the spot as the representative for Team USA.

Since the United States hadn’t qualified at 65 kg, Retherford went to Turkey to earn a spot at the last-chance qualifier with a final-day rally through the repechage.

Being an Olympian is another notch in the belt for one of the best wrestlers that the United States has produced. Retherford is a former 2023 World Champion, 2022 World Silver Medalist, and a three-time NCAA Champion at Penn State.

At age 29, it remains unclear whether this will be the last time that we see the former Nittany Lion on the international stage or if Retherford will continue his transition to life off the mat that had started before the Olympic Games.

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