Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young Qualifies for 2024 Olympics
Penn State wrestling has its first 2024 Olympian. Roman Bravo-Young, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion for the Nittany Lions, will represent Mexico at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Bravo-Young qualified for the Summer Games by winning three bouts at the Pan-American qualifying tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. Bravo-Young outscored his three opponents by a combined score of 35-10 in the 57 kg freestyle weight class.
Bravo-Young technically qualified Mexico for the weight at the Olympics. But Mexico's qualifying procedures differ from the U.S., meaning Bravo-Young also earned the spot on Mexico's Olympic team.
"It feels amazing," Bravo-Young told FloWrestling in an interview after qualifying. "A lot of people don't really know what I come from, but it's a dream come true. Obviously trying to bring back a medal for Mexico, but it's a surreal moment. I'm an Olympian, and that sticks with me forever."
Bravo-Young came to Penn State from Tucson, Arizona, where he went 182-0 and won four state titles. At Penn State, Bravo-Young compiled a 101-10 record, winning NCAA titles at 133 pounds in 2021 and '22. He placed second in 2023, losing just once in the NCAA final to Cornell's Vito Arujau, and was a four-time All-American.
"Just a kid from Tucson, Arizona, now we're going to Paris," Bravo-Young told FloWrestling. "I don't think words describe it. You dream of moments like this."
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