Associated Press: Hassan Yazdani is the main contender for the Olympic gold medal.
In a report, the Associated Press covered the wrestling competitions of the 2024 Paris Olympics, initially highlighting several main stars of these competitions, among whom is Iran’s Hassan Yazdani.
Hassan Yazdani, nicknamed ‘The King’, won the Olympic gold medal in the 74 kg weight category in 2016. In the Tokyo Olympics, he lost in the 86 kg final to David Taylor. Now, with Taylor not competing in Paris, this situation likely paves the way for Yazdani to reclaim the gold medal.
Taha Akgül of Turkey, a 2016 gold medalist, was among those who did not succeed in the Tokyo Games, losing to American Gable Steveson. Earlier this year, in the European Championships, he defeated Geno Petriashvili of Georgia, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist. With Steveson not returning, Akgül could emerge victorious in the 125 kg category.
Who will be the heavyweight freestyle wrestling champion? Steveson won at the age of 21 but later changed his career path, which means we are likely to see a new face on the top podium in the heavyweight division.
New faces: None of the three American gold medalists from Tokyo will be present at the Paris Olympics, including Taylor, who lost in the qualifiers to Aaron Brooks.