Former Penn State wrestler Aaron Brooks wins bronze medal at 2024 Olympic games

Former Penn State wrestler Aaron Brooks traveled to Paris with hopes of winning a gold medal. He did not. But, one of only seven four-time NCAA champs ever is not leaving his first Olympic games empty-handed. The Team USA member won bronze on Friday after beating Javrail Shapiev of Uzbekistan 5-0 in the 86-kilogram third-place match on Friday at the 2024 summer games.

Brooks took a 1-0 lead two minutes in after Shapiev did not score after being placed on the activity clock. That was the score at the break. Then, right after the final three minutes began, Brooks immediately forced a step out to take a 2-0 lead. However, shortly after, he was put on the activity clock. The former Penn State standout responded with a blast double takedown for a 4-0 lead. He then drove Shapiev right off the mat off the restart for a 5-0 lead. That was the final.

It marks a successful first Olympics for Brooks, who put himself among the International wrestling community’s best despite having limited experience at that level before now. His journey to today started following his fourth national title, and first at 197 pounds, back in March. He immediately began training for the U.S. Team Trials, which were held in State College’s Bryce Jordan Center in April. The 2023 U23 U.S. and World Champion at 86 kilograms (189.5 pounds) was not expected to beat Lions legend David Taylor for the right to represent the U.S. in Paris. But, that’s exactly what he did.

Once across the pond, his tournament started out promisingly. But, his gold medal dreams were dashed after giving up two exposure points with five seconds to go in his semifinal match with Magomed Ramazanov of Bulgaria to lose, 4-3. That sent him to the bronze medal match, where, as expected, he battled back to earn the best possible outcome despite the setback. He is the first Penn State wrestling alum to medal at the Olympics since Taylor at Toyko 2020.

Recapping Penn State star Aaron Brooks’ first Olympics

We detailed the bronze medal match above. Read up on former Penn State star Brooks’ first-day results courtesy of a recap from USA Wrestling:

Semifinals: Ramazanov over Brooks, 4-3

“Brooks, competing on a U.S. Senior World-level team for the first time, lost a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to No. 5 seed Magomed Ramazanov of Bulgaria in the semifinals,” Gary Abbott writes for USA Wrestling. “Brooks had the lead in the first period, 3-0, with a shot clock point and a double leg takedown. Ramazanov scored a spin behind takedown in the second period to close it to 3-2. In the final seconds of the match, with Brooks in on a leg attack, Ramazanov scored a slick counter exposure and beats Brooks, 4-3.”

How did Brooks reach the semifinals?

“Brooks defeated the No. 1 seed and a two-time World bronze medalist Azamat Dauletbekov of Kazakhstan, 4-3 in the first round,” Abbott writes. “Dauletbekov opened the scoring with a step out, but Brooks responded with a takedown and 2-1 lead at the break. Brooks added a second period takedown to lead 4-1, A caution and two point penalty against Brooks at the end adjusted the score to 4-3.

“Brooks continued his powerful wrestling in the quarterfinals, with an 11-1 technical fall over No. 8 seed Hayato Ishiguro of Japan, a 2018 U20 World champion. The score was tied at 1-1 at the break, but Brooks took over in the second period, with five takedowns in a row.” 

More Olympic wrestling news

Five Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members competed in the men’s freestyle division. Brooks took bronze at 86 kilograms. Kyle Dake will go for bronze on Saturday at 74 kilograms. Roman Bravo-Young, competing for Team Mexico, lost in his first match and was quickly out of the 57-kilogram tournament.

Zain Retherford (65 kilograms) and Kyle Snyder (97) start their respective tournaments on Saturday. The three-seed, Snyder starts his tournament opposite Awusayiman Habila of China. Unseeded Retherford, meanwhile, draws second seed Rahman Amouzadkhali of Iran. Those matches begin at 5:30 a.m. ET Saturday. Peacock will broadcast them. And, Blue-White Illustrated will have a complete recap.