“Just Made My Day”: Wrestling Community Comes Around to Support Kamal Bey For Paris Olympics Despite Past Backlash

They say history is written by the victor, and Kamal Bey might be on the fast track to write history himself. The 26-year-old Greco-Roman wrestling star has just been announced for the national team headed to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and his search for the maiden Olympic gold might finally come to an end on the bank of the Seine. However, it wasn’t at all a smooth sail to Team USA for the former US Open champ.

Despite winning in his weight category (77kg) at the US Olympic Team Trials in Bryce Jordan Center in April, Bey didn’t receive his ticket to the French capital because the USA was not qualified for the quota. And then, at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier, Bey came in fourth in his bracket, which further complicated things. His inability to make the team caused the fans’ fury, and the wrestler even took to social media to note his disappointment over how Greco-Roman wrestling was viewed in the country. However, things are about to change.

Kamal Bey is on the verge of immortality

The official USA Wrestling Instagram account just shared the news hours ago, and fans are buckling up for a massive showdown in Paris. “BREAKING: @itz_kbey will compete in Paris!” reads the caption of the post as Kamal is announced as the 16th member of the USA’s contingent that will fly to the European metropolitan in a bid to further exert the USA’s dominance in the sport of wrestling.

And yet, forgetting the things that transpired in the weeks leading up to the current state of affairs might be a hard task for Bey. After the fiasco in Turkey Bey was heartbroken to see the fans’ reaction about him being unable to find a top-three finish in the 77kg weight class. He even took to social media to call out the wrestling community as “ignorant“ for always hailing freestyle over Greco-Roman wrestling every time. But a jubilant reconciliation seems to be in order.

Wrestling fans on Cloud 9

Naturally, fans are thrilled by the development. “This just made my day. So well deserved,” wrote Allie Grant in the comment section of the post, who seems to be one of the very few who held the belief that better things should have come Kamal’s way even before.

At the Last Chance Qualifier, Bey narrowly missed out on a podium finish because of Russian stars dominating the event. However, a recent announcement by the IOC banned several Russian wrestlers from competing in Paris, which might have made it possible for Bey to be on Team USA for the upcoming Games. However, many fans seem to think that it would have been unfair for Kamal to have his shot at glory. Reflecting that sentiment, Aderemi commented, “Much earned.”

“This what you’re made for bro,” commented another fan who thinks the 2023 Pan American Championships was the clear indicator that Bey has what it takes to walk with the greats of the sport. While he was unable to replicate his triumph from last year at this year’s Acapulco PanAm Championships, Bey deserves to set the record straight, opines this fan.

Blake is also excited to see how things pan out in Paris in a few weeks’ time. “I love Bey’s energy. Here’s hoping he can hit some nice ones and run up some points,” commented the connoisseur, who has become a fan of what Kamal brings to the table.

Paul Thomas is also happy that Bey was the first in line to make it to the Olympics after going toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best at the Last Chance event. “Glad to see getting that first alternate place paid off,” reads his comment as the fan notes how incredible the wrestler’s day 2 performance at the tournament in Istanbul was.

As more fas rally behind the Sunkist Kids star, what are your hopes and predictions for Kamal Bey in Paris? Tell us below!