USA’s Top College Wrestling Stars Opt for Sabbatical From Collegiate Events to Prioritize Olympic Qualifications

The 2023 World Wrestling Championships is in full swing. Until now, US athlete Adeline Gray has won a Bronze at the event. Whereas, Kazakhstan’s Rizabek Aitmukhan clinched the first-ever gold for his country, in the 92 kg category. At the event, many top-notch U.S. athletes, including David Taylor (86kg), Kyle Synder (97kg), and Mason Parris(125 kg), were also able to secure their seats for the 2024 Olympics. With the great enthusiasm set in motion, the energy was reciprocated by two collegiate athletes as they took serious action for their wrestling careers.

Interestingly, after the Worlds event, some college wrestlers decided to opt for the Olympic red shirt, abandoning their collegiate tournaments. Two staunch wrestlers representing the USA’s top college on the mat have decided to stop working towards the NCAA championship. Instead, they intend to focus on the Olympic Trials. The athletes will have the chance to participate in two notable events to grab their spots for the trials.

NCAA stars working toward the Olympics

Amid the ongoing qualification rounds for the next big games, Andre Alirez of the University of Colorado and Wisconsin’s Braxton Amos have also decided to enter the heated competition. According to an update shared on Twitter, “UNC’s Andre Walirez (65) kg and Wsconsin’s Braxton Amos (97) kg have both announced or confirmed their intent to take an Olympic redshirt and will not compete at the collegiate level this season.”

Amos, a two-time junior world champion, and Andre Alirez, a three-time NCAA qualifier, will have to participate in the Big Farrell and/or Senior Nationals to qualify for April’s Olympic trials. This year’s Big Farrell event will be held from November 17 to 18 at the New York Athletic Club. Moreover, the athletes will get another chance at securing their spot in the Senior Nationals trial. This shall be held from December 15 to 17 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Interestingly, apart from these staunch athletes aiming for the trials, a 19-year-old soaring wrestler has also set his eyes on representing his country at the Olympics. Newly crowned world champion Rezabek Aitmukhan has announced a new strategy plan to help him represent Kazakhstan at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Rizabek Aitmukhan aiming for the Olympic dream

After defeating Osman Nurmagomedov (6-2) on Siberian mats, Aitmukhan became Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion. However, after achieving this milestone, the athlete has decided to reach for the most prestigious win: the Olympics. After the match, the 19-year-old, who announced his new strategy to clinch gold in Paris. Thus, Aitmukhan told the media, “We’ve decided that it’s the last world championship. Next year, I’ll move up to the Olympic weight of 97 kg. I will try to become an Olympic champion.”

Also read: 32-Year-Old Seasoned American Wrestling Veteran Adds Another Feather to Her Cap at 2023 Wrestling World Championship

From top-notch US college athletes to newly crowned champions chasing their Olympic dreams, the fans will truly witness many staunch performances on the mat. However, the wrestling community was frenzied after the top athlete was unable to qualify for his weight category. Regardless, the American fans hope the wrestlers will continue to maintain their zeal and be able to clinch a position on the podium next year.

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