Olympics 2024: What to know, who to watch during wrestling competition
A roadmap to follow for the wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics:
Athletes to Watch:
Hassan Yazdani, Iran: Nicknamed The Greatest, Yazdani was a gold medalist at 74 kilograms in 2016. He lost to David Taylor in the gold medal match in the 86-kilogram division in Tokyo. Taylor isn't competing in Paris, possibly clearing a way for Yazdani to return to the top.
Taha Akgul, Turkey: A 2016 gold medalist, Akgul was among those who lost to American Gable Steveson at the Tokyo Games. He beat Georgia's Geno Petriashvili, the silver medalist in Tokyo, at the European Championships earlier this year. With Steveson not returning, Akgul could emerge victorious in the 125-kilogram class.
Kennedy Blades, United States. The dynamic 20-year-old beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Adeline Gray at the U.S. trials and is competing in the women's 76-kilogram freestyle division.
Helen Maroulis, United States. She is aiming to become the first American women's wrestler to win three Olympic medals.