Ex-Penn State wrestling star Roman Bravo-Young ready to ‘let it fly’ at 2024 Summer Olympics

As the countdown to Paris continues, former Penn State wrestling standout Roman Bravo-Young is ready to let it rip at the 2024 Summer Olympics in four weeks. The two-time National Champion for the Nittany Lions will represent Team Mexico after qualifying for the Games in March.

Speaking to reporters in Mexico last week, Bravo-Young expressed his eagerness to get on the mats in France.

“I’m super excited to get out there,” Bravo-Young said. “I feel great. I’m healthy. I’ve put in a lot of work. I’m just excited, and I’m going to let it fly out there.”

El mexicoestadounidense Román Bravo-Young se dijo emocionado de representar a México en la lucha grecorromana de París 2024 🇲🇽🤼

📹: Martín Avilés / Ovaciones pic.twitter.com/qV2FkCQKrA

— OVACIONES (@ovaciones) July 2, 2024

Penn State wrestling star shines in Poland

Roman Bravo-Young is coming off a strong performance in the Poland Open at the end of June. In his final international competition before the 2024 Summer Olympics, the ex-Nittany Lion won the Gold Medal at 57 kg after securing two victories by technical fall.

“Poland was just a tune-up for me; get some matches in because I didn’t compete since the Olympic Qualifier back in March,” Bravo-Young told reporters. “So I just wanted to get down to weight and get a couple of matches in and just kind of get that ball rolling again.”

A long road for the Lions in the Olympic bracket?

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Once he does get on the mats in Paris, Roman Bravo-Young will face an uphill battle. Not having amassed enough points to be seeded in the 57 kg bracket, Bravo-Young will be randomly drawn by one of the top eight seeds.

Regardless of where he ends up, the former Nittany Lion would likely have to battle through multiple past world champions to medal in 2024.

The same difficult path faces the other two Penn State wrestling program alumni who, like Bravo-Young, are also first-time Olympians. Zain Retherford (65 kg) and Aaron Brooks (86 kg) are unseeded in their respective weight classes as they represent the United States for the first time.

While the road is still not easy, the story is different for the NLWC members making return appearances to the Games. Kyle Snyder is seeded third at 97 kg as he looks to win a third career medal and second Gold after finishing at the top of the podium in 2016 and with Silver in 2020. After winning Bronze in 2020, Kyle Dake earned the No. 1 seed at 74 kg and is eyeing his first career Gold Medal.

Wrestling at the 2024 Summer Olympics will begin on August 5 and run through August 11. All matches will be available on Peacock and the NBC family of networks.

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