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The United States witnessed a day of mixed emotions in Olympic wrestling on Thursday, with one athlete charging towards gold and two others facing crushing defeats in the semifinals.
Spencer Lee, the former Iowa wrestling sensation, showcased his undeniable prowess at 57kg with another commanding victory. Lee outclassed Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan, earning a 14-4 win by technical superiority. Injuries may have kept him from pursuing the 2020 Olympic team, but Lee has made a powerful comeback in Paris, reminding everyone of his champion’s spirit. As he looks ahead to Friday, Lee will focus on Japan's Rei Higuchi, who also demonstrated his dominance with a 10-0 victory over India's Aman Sehrawat. With gold on the line, Lee’s upcoming bout is poised to be a thrilling clash of wrestling titans.
However, not all of Team USA had reason to celebrate. Four-time NCAA champion Aaron Brooks experienced defeat most dramatically. Brooks, who had dethroned 2020 Olympic gold medalist David Taylor to secure his spot on the U.S. team, was in control for much of his match against Bulgaria’s Magomed Ramazanov. Leading 3-2 and with victory in sight, Brooks was forced to fend off a relentless attack. In a heartbreaking twist, just before the final horn sounded, Ramazanov managed to free his leg and secure a takedown, snatching the win from Brooks' grasp. Despite this gut-wrenching loss, Brooks will still have the chance to compete for a bronze medal on Friday.
Similarly, two-time Olympic medalist Helen Maroulis finds herself in a battle for bronze. The wrestling legend, who made history by becoming the first American woman to win Olympic gold in 2016, faced a tough opponent in Japan's Tsugumi Sakurai. Maroulis started strong but was ultimately overpowered, with Sakurai claiming a 10-4 victory to advance to the gold medal match. For Maroulis, Friday’s bout for bronze represents both an opportunity to add to her legacy and perhaps a final chapter in her storied career.
While Lee is set on becoming the first U.S. men’s wrestler to capture gold in Paris, Brooks and Maroulis will aim to add bronze to their collections. It’s a day that underscores the highs and lows of Olympic competition, where dreams can be both realized and shattered in the blink of an eye.
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