Austin Gomez on representing Michigan wrestling, Mexico at Olympics: 'It means everything'

Austin Gomez is known for his stellar collegiate wrestling career, most recently at Michigan this past year.

The former Iowa State and Wisconsin standout ended his folk-style career in Ann Arbor with a 13-3 record and NCAA runner-up finish. The two-time All-American dealt with injuries throughout his career but qualified at 65 KG for Mexico to represent the country in Paris this month.

There’s something about peaking at the right time and it seems like the former Wolverine is ready.

“You know, this is something that my dad has had planned for me since I started wrestling. was to make it to the Olympic Games, not only to make it to the Olympic games, but to bring home the gold medal,” Gomez said. “It means everything and I can’t wait to see them in the stands while I compete and hopefully get my hand raised and you know, representing the University of Michigan at the Olympic Games is, I mean, nothing better than I could ask for.” 

The amount of work that goes into a sport that’s represented at the Olympics is a different animal. Wrestling might be a different breed though. This is the peak of the sport.

“The work I’m putting into the practice room really is something I’m gonna take away the most,” Gomez said. “I remember watching, you know, every Olympic Games and you know, just thinking to myself and telling my parents that how cool would it be if I was walking at those Olympic ceremonies one day.” 

If Gomez can control anything, it’s how he operates in his training. For a wrestler that’s all about flair for the dramatic, he’s ready to grab his lunch pail and go to work.

“Something I can do on a consistent basis is everything I’ve been doing my whole wrestling career and that’s controlling my work ethic, staying consistent in my wrestling, maintaining a good social life, doing the right things outside of the wrestling room,” Gomez said. “I mean, doing everything it takes in the wrestling room and outside of the wrestling room to be an Olympic gold medalist. So you know that that’s what I’m striving to do right now. And I got to control everything I can control.” 

Having been coached by many big names such as Kevin Dresser, Chris Bono and Sean Bormet, Kevin Jackson sticks out right now. An Olympic Gold Medalist in 1992, Jackson is currently an assistant at Michigan. But to Gomez, Jackson is as influential as they come. 

“I think the person I’ve looked up to the most is, you know, Kevin Jackson,” Gomez said. “You know, he’s been there at the Olympic Games. He’s done it, he’s brought home a gold medal. So, you know, he’s one of my one of my main coaches. I’m just picking his brain. 

“He’s telling me what to do in the practice room because he knows what it takes to be at that level and how to win at that level. I’m just keeping a close relationship with him and you know, I know that he’s going to have me ready when the time comes.”

Gomez and the rest of the Men’s 65 KG Freestyle bracket begin action on August 10th.