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Penn State product Zain Retherford qualifies for Olympic Games

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•05/12/24•

GregPickel

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Penn State alum and U.S. National Team member Zain Retherford. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports)

Penn State is sending another wrestler to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Zain Retherford is heading to the biggest stage of international wrestling after battling back through repechage on Sunday to finish third and qualify for the event. He beat Niurgun Skriabin in the third place match to make it after rolling through the repechage, or consolation bracket, round.

Penn State product Day 2 recap

Courtesy of USA Wrestling:

Bronze Medal Match – WIN Sujeet Sujeet (India), 2-2

Retherford was relentless with his forward pressure throughout the match. Midway through the first period, Retherford got in deep on a low single, was driving through Sujeet for the finish, but was countered for two. Heading into the second period trailing, 2-0, Retherford’s pace paid off. He capitalized on an errant shot attempt by Sujeet for a go-behind takedown, taking the lead on criteria, 2-2. His defense held firm for the rest of the match, cementing the win and his place in the bronze medal Olympic playoff match.

Note: Sujeet was a U20 World bronze medalist in 2022 and has won the Asian Championships at the U20 and U23 age levels.

Repechage #2 – WIN Abdulmazhid Kudiev (Tajikistan), 5-2

Retherford shot in on a single leg right off the whistle, eventually driving Kudiev out-of-bounds for a point. Kudiev got in deep on a single leg attempt but was unable to score due to Retherford’s solid scrambling. Retherford capitalized on Kudiev’s persistent attacks on his right leg with a timely re-shot single leg, adding on two more points before the break. Retherford picked up a strong double leg takedown 30 seconds into the second period to open up a 5-0 lead. He played the hand fight game the remainder of the match. Kudiev managed a takedown with 8 seconds left to bring the final score to 5-2.

Note: Kudiev finished in ninth place at the 2023 Senior World Championships. He was a U23 Asian Championships gold medalist in 2023.

Repechage #1 – WIN Alibeg Alibegov (Bahrain), fall, 2:37

Retherford opened up the scoring at the 45-second mark with a front headlock toss for four points. He was countered with exposure by Alibegov during the exchange, resulting in a 4-2 score in favor of Retherford. Upon returning to neutral standing, Retherford countered an Alibegov knee pick attempt for his first chance on top, and he made the most of it. Retherford went back to his folkstyle roots, throwing in a boot on the right side, tilting Alibegov three times before sliding off the boot into a half nelson for the fall in 2:37.

Note: Alibegov was a U20 World bronze medalist in 2021. He finished with bronze at the U23 Asian Championships in 2022.

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