Former Penn State wrestling star qualifies for 2024 Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics are fast approaching, meaning a number of current and former Penn State wrestling stars have their eyes set on Paris. One former standout became the first of the Nittany Lions to punch his ticket to France and compete for the gold medal, as Roman Bravo-Young qualified Mexico for the Olympics after a successful 2024 Pan-American Olympic Qualifier this week.

Former Penn State wrestling star Roman Bravo-Young qualifies for the 2024 Summer Olympics

A success from the moment he put on the Blue and White singlet, Roman Bravo-Young had a dominant Penn State wrestling career. Bravo-Young finished college with a 100-10 record, two National Championships, and three Big Ten Championships. If that wasn’t enough, he was a four-time All-American and a finalist for the Hodge Trophy in 2021, as well.

Known simply as RBY by the Penn State wrestling community, Roman Bravo-Young is known for his quick takedowns and, at times, acrobatic moves to score points. After initially competing for the United States in 2016, Bravo-Young switched to team Mexico last year. Despite being born in Arizona, his grandparents are from Mexico, which gives him eligibility.

On Friday, Roman Bravo-Young qualified for Paris by winning the freestyle 57 kg class (125 pounds) at the 2024 Pan-American Olympic Qualifier. Bravo-Young won all three of his bouts in the tournament by a combined score of 35-10.

I’m an Olympian 🇲🇽

— Roman Bravo-Young (@RomanBravoYoung) March 1, 2024

From NLWC to Paris

As Penn State wrestling looks to win its 11^th National Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson this March, part of the program’s success can be attributed to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club (NLWC).

The NLWC is a collection of some of the best wrestlers, not just in the United States, but in the world. Former Penn State wrestling greats like David Taylor, Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, Bo Nickal, and Nick Lee are members.

Other dominant collegiate and international wrestlers, such as Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) and Thomas Gilman (Iowa), are also now part of the NLWC. Roman Bravo-Young was the latest to join in May 2023 and will be among the club’s members competing in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The NLWC practices and wrestles with the current members of the Penn State wrestling team. Being able to compete against Olympic gold and silver medalists gives a whole new meaning to the “compete against the best” mantra that Cael Sanderson preaches for the Penn State wrestling program.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris between July 26 and August 11. The United States Olympic Team Trials for wrestling will be held in the Bryce Jordan Center on April 19 and 20.

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