Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers: US Soldier Alex Sancho’s Paris 2024 Aspirations Shattered After a Loss in Semis

American wrestling sensation Alejandro Sancho just got his Olympic dream crushed. The young Greco-Roman wrestler took a major defeat at the Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers despite going strong in the contest. Now, while Sancho wanted a second shot at the Olympic Games in Paris, he will have to wait for the next iteration.

USA Wrestling announced the shattering news ox X via a tweet captioned, “67 kg SF – Nestor Almanza Truyol 🇨🇱 fall Alejandro Sancho 🇺🇸, 3:59 #WrestleAcapulco.” Notably, Sancho had just won the 2024 Pan American Championship gold in the 67kg category. However, the youngster’s return ticket to the Olympics was rejected for another four years with the loss.

Alejandro Sancho had previously cliched his berth in the Tokyo Olympics by winning the 2020 Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers. Moreover, he had also outclassed a US Olympian to advance to the Olympics later. Today, however, was not his day. Despite his great wrestling prowess, Sancho has lately been facing problems in his matches.

During the 2023 US Open in April, Alejandro Sancho lost his quarterfinal bout against a U-17 grappler from high school. The 67kg wrestler tried working on his technique and form to improve himself. He also achieved golden glory at the Pan Am Championship for his efforts, but the Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers eluded him this time. 

Although Sancho won’t be able to advance to Paris now, one of his fellow army soldiers has advanced a step further to Paris. In fact, he is also a Greco-Roman wrestler just like Sancho.

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US Army soldier makes homeland proud at the Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers

Greco-Roman wrestling sensation Spencer Woods cleared the semifinal round of the Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers. The 87kg grappler defeated his Cuban opponent, Daniel Gregorich Hecavarria, with a score of 6-3 to advance further. Woods has been waiting to make it to the Olympics ever since his days as a high school wrestler. 

The US Army soldier pushed himself hard and also wrestled at several international competitions in his college days. Now, he has opened the door for the US to compete in Paris in the 87kg bracket with his Pan Am Olympic Qualifiers performance. Representing his uniform, and his fellow soldiers, including Sancho, Woods will now work hard and reach the mats of Paris.

ALSO READ – American Soldier Qualifies for Paris Olympics 2024 After Stellar Show at Pan Am Wrestling Qualifiers