Latest Wrestling News
Aaron Brooks defeats wrestling gold medalist David Taylor, who loses his Olympic roster spot
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Brooks defeated reigning 86-kilogram gold medalist David Taylor in consecutive matches Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials, claiming a roster spot at the Paris Olympics. Brooks beat Taylor 4-1 earlier in the day, his first loss to an...
Helen Maroulis becomes first US female wrestler to qualify for three Olympic teams
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Helen Maroulis, the first American woman to win a wrestling gold medal, became the first U.S. female wrestler to qualify for three Summer Games as she earned a spot Saturday night on the American team for Paris. Maroulis, competing at 57 kilograms,...
Two-time world champ J’den Cox retires at US Olympic wrestling trials; 44-year-old reaches finals
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — J’den Cox walked off the mat after dropping a 2-2 decision to Kollin Moore at the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials on Friday night, leaving his shoes behind to a standing ovation. The bronze medal winner at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 was beaten by...
Young Ugandans tangle in the mud. They dream of becoming professional wrestlers
MUKONO, Uganda (AP) — In a forested area outside Uganda's capital, a few dozen youth gather around a makeshift ring to watch two amateur wrestlers tangle in the mud. The training sessions, complete with an announcer and referee, imitate the pro wrestling contests the teens...
Oklahoma State's John Smith retires after decorated 33-year career as wrestling coach
STILLWATER, Oklahoma (AP) — Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 33-year run that produced five NCAA team championships, 33 individual NCAA champions and 23 conference titles. The 58-year-old Smith compiled a 490-73-6 dual record and...
Italian wrestler Chamizo claims he rejected $300,000 bribe to throw a match he controversially lost
MILAN (AP) — Two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Frank Chamizo claimed he turned down a bribe of $300,000 to deliberately lose a match at last week’s European wrestling Olympic qualification tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan. Chamizo, who competes for Italy after...
In the coliseum of American over-the-topness, WrestleMania stands alone
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — He surveyed the Arizona crowd that had paid to catch a wrestling glimpse of the planet's mightiest heavyweight, as measured in both box-office heft and ink-stained muscles. Then The Rock let the abuse fly. And as with so many public outbursts these days, attacking his...
New Jersey youth wrestling coach sentenced to more than 7 years in child sex abuse images case
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey youth wrestling coach and former state champion who made headlines for becoming the NCAA’s first openly gay college wrestler has been sentenced to more than seven years in a case involving images of children. Alec Donovan,...
Penn State's Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks join exclusive club of 4-time NCAA wrestling champs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The only thing slowing down Carter Starocci's pursuit of wrestling glory was an ailing knee and some blood on his opponent's face, and he left Aaron Brooks no choice but to follow his Penn State teammate into the history books. Starocci won his fourth NCAA...
3-time champ Starocci tops ex-champ Lewis to reach semis at NCAA wrestling championships
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks will have a chance to make some wrestling history for Penn State. The two Nittany Lions passed their semifinal tests at the NCAA championships on Friday night, giving them a chance to join an exclusive club of four-time...