Team USA came prepared this year at the Paris Olympics, much like every other Olympic year. They brought in some new faces and some recurring ones; Kamal Bey was also a part of the athletes who set out to capture gold for home. Unfortunately, the wrestler wasn’t able to capture the medal that he was hoping for.

Regardless of the failed attempt, Bey’s story remains inspiring for any sports fan. He started wrestling early, thanks to the support he received from his father.

How Kamal Bey’s father fueled his son’s love for wrestling

The athlete in question began wrestling at the age of three, which is quite early even for sports enthusiasts. While it’s possible that Bey’s entry into wrestling was fueled by his own enthusiasm, it’s likely that his father, a fan of the sport himself, nurtured his curiosity and supported his early start in wrestling.

His father enrolled him in a local kids’ club, where Kamal Bey eventually fell in love with the sport and continued pursuing it. Wrestling pushed him to expand his limits physically, mentally, and emotionally, contributing to his growth and helping him become a better version of himself.

“Kamal has come from the Chicago streets. Now he’s in the United States military… I can’t wait to coach him in the Olympics,” said Herb House, Team USA’s coach for Greco-Roman wrestling. Since both House and Bey hail from Colorado Springs, the coach had already trained him on several things except for wrestling. This was an exciting moment for him, training a military man for the Olympics. As of now, he is a culinary specialist in the army. But if you wish to know more about his wrestling life, we have got you covered.

At which weight class does Kamal Bey wrestle?

Kamal Bey has been a part of Team USA since 2017 and currently competes in the 77kg weight class in Greco-Roman wrestling. If you haven’t seen this style of wrestling before, you’re missing out on some captivating action. Wrestling itself is a demanding sport, but Greco-Roman wrestling is even more complex. Bey appeared well-prepared when he flew to the Paris Olympics this year to compete for his country. Unfortunately, he didn’t secure a medal in his weight category and specialization, as he was eliminated in the 1/8 finals by Akzhol Makhmudov of Kyrgyzstan.

This year hasn’t been all about loss for Kamal Bey. On the contrary, he secured a bronze medal at the Pan American Championship and also placed sixth at the Pan American Olympic Games Qualification tournament. Although his loss at the Olympics may have disappointed fans who were hoping to see Team USA win gold in his weight class, there’s always another opportunity. Hopefully, we’ll see the 26-year-old again in four years, continuing to strive for excellence.

Does Kamal Bey’s passion for serving his country both in military and sports inspire you? Let us know in the comments.