The French capital isn’t making things easy for the Americans at all. While Team USA sits comfortably at the top of the medal table, the wrestling contingent is having to face some tough challenges from true Behemoths. Now, as the four-time NCAA gold medalist, Aaron Brooks waits to begin his journey in the City of Love in search of honor on the grandest stage, it seems like he’s the latest to stare at a potentially insurmountable obstacle in the face of the get-go.

So far, the USA has bagged one gold in wrestling at the 33rd Olympics, courtesy of two-time World Champion Amit Elor. More are expected to come with the sport being one of the country’s strongest suits at the Games, however, not without having to fight for it.

A massive challenge to test Aaron Brooks’ salt

In a post on X from hours ago by the official NLWC account, the wrestling club of Penn State, the men’s 86kg freestyle draw has been shared with the fans. From the looks of it, 24-year-old Brooks will have to pull up his socks, and fast! According to the post, Aaron will commence his journey by locking horns against two-time World Championships bronze medalist Azamat Dauletbekov, who is also the #1 seed in the weight bracket.

While Brooks’ hopes of being the first-ever five-time NCAA champion didn’t happen, many hoped that he would compensate for the same at the coveted quadrennial tournament. However, having to face the toughest of the lot in his first bout could be a massive pressure for him. Or, if the stars align, Brooks could dig deep into the bag and pull out a bunny to show his true worth to the world.

However, even if Cael Sanderson’s star student does manage to subdue his more experienced opponent, he wouldn’t be out of the woods just yet. Going forward in the tournament, Brooks might well cross paths with the Iranian heavyweight Hassan Yazdani (seed second in the class), the same wrestler who has trampled over the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, and Aaron’s collegiate predecessor, David Taylor several times at various meetings.

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While it remains to be seen what destiny holds for the first-time Olympian, let’s take a look at the prolific American wrestlers who have already faced a similar challenge at the Olympics, and managed to rise up to the occasion.

Team USA isn’t getting a hall pass in Paris

Sarah Hildebrandt, who won her maiden Olympic gold by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman 3-0 just moments ago. While the 30-year-old wrestler was one of the favorites in the women’s 50kg weight class, her start to the tournament was also against a formidable opponent. Hildebrandt clashed against the defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the Round of 16, but the American showcased her determination to forge ahead as she trounced the latter without beating around the bush for too long.

Amit Elor, the other gold medalist wrestler for the USA in the women’s 68kg bracket, embarked on her quest and faced Turkey’s Buse Tosun in the Round of 16. While Elor went on to secure her spot on the top of the podium, fans were holding their breath to see how her clash against Tosun went. Both Susaki and Tosun were the top-seeded wrestlers in their respective weight classes.

While the challenge wasn’t as steep for Greco-Roman wrestler Kamal Bey, the 2023 Pan American Games gold medalist couldn’t manage to replicate the success of his national teammates. The two-time US Open gold medalist fell to Kazakhstan’s Akzhol Makhmudov 4-1 in the quarterfinal match and crashed out of the title race.

While stories of both success and failure at the Paris Olympics are rampant, which path do you think Brooks will follow? Share your predictions about his upcoming bout with us below!