While the three-time NCAA champ Zain Retherford of Penn State won the final match in his weight class (65kg) at the US Wrestling Trials, the nation is yet to obtain a quota for the Olympics. With that in mind, the former Nittany Lion will have to face off against some true heavyweights next week to secure his place in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

With the Olympics only over a couple of months away, the world’s top wrestling stars are vying for a spot in their respective national teams. And similarly, the race to Team USA is also getting intense. But for Zain Retherford, the competition will now be coming from foreign foes who stand on his way to the French capital.

Zain Retherford’s formidable opponent to steal his thunder

A recent post on X (previously known as Twitter) by FloWrestling shed light on a Mongolian wrestling giant who is likely to meet Retherford on the latter’s way to Paris at the World OG Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey. “Tumur Ochir of Mongolia has dominated the likes of Nick Lee, Evan Henderson, and Joey McKenna.“, reads the caption of the post, with evident intentions of making fans understand that the 2023 Zagreb Open champ isn’t someone to be taken lightly.

“Zain Retherford may have to wrestle him for a spot at the Olympic Games!” notes the post further as the accompanying video shows the 2022 Asian Games gold medalist giving the 2018 Big Ten gold medalist Joseph McKenna a run for his money at the 2023 Zagreb Grand Prix. That match saw McKenna being subdued by Ochir 4-1.

“He’s the real deal…other than Zain this is the toughest guy in the bracket“, the post doesn’t beat around the bush about what the ex-Penn State star might be facing at the Turkish capital on May 9. But the 2021 World Championships bronze winner won’t be the only one that Retherford needs to watch out for or be the only American looking to punch their ticket to Paris.

More Americans’ fates hang on the line

The 65kg weight class is staked to the brim with international talents. The 2023 U23 Asian Championships bronze medalist Abdulmazhid Kudiev is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the bracket and anyone facing him will have to make sure to bring out their A-game if they wish to jump over the hurdle posed by the Tajik. The 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin Kim is another foe that Zain will have to watch out for. The 2022 U20 World Championships gold medalist Umidjon Jalolov from Uzbekistan is another figure who will pose a significant threat to the former Penn Star wrestler, should they cross paths in Turkey over the span of 9-12 May. But Retherford isn’t the only one from the country who is eyeing an impressive run at next week’s event.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Spencer Lee won the 57kg weight class in the US Olympic Qualifiers and now will have to take on more elite wrestlers from around the world in order to make the most of the chance. While his knee injury has remained a constant issue over the last few months, Lee believes his chances of making it to his debut Olympics are high. On the other hand, among the USA’s Greco-Roman contingent, Dalton Roberts (60kg), Ellis Coleman (67kg), and Kamal Bey (77kg) will also be taking to the mat at the World Olympic Qualifier.