Photo by: United World Wrestling
Cruz Qualifies For Paris Olympics At 57 kg
3/2/2024 5:11:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
ACAPULCO, Mexico – Former Lehigh NCAA Champion Darian Cruz '18 is headed to the Paris Olympics after qualifying a spot for his country Friday at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier.
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Cruz, who competes internationally for Puerto Rico, went 3-0 Friday and secured the spot with a 2-2 criteria win over American Zane Richards in the semifinal round.
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He us expected to be just the second Lehigh wrestler to compete in the Olympics, joining Bobby Weaver '83, who won a gold medal in 1984 in Los Angeles.
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Earlier Friday, Cruz posted a 10-0 win over Brazil's Davi Silva Giovanetti, followed by a 12-1 technical fall over his LVWC teammate Guesseppe Rea, who competes for Ecuador.
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In his semifinal matchup with Richards, a former All-American at the University of Illinois, Cruz gave up a pair of points while failing to score while on the shot clock but scored two points by forcing stepouts, the last which came in the final seconds, giving Cruz the criteria needed to win the bout.
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Cruz did not wrestle a finals bout with he and Mexico's Roman Bravo Young having secured Olympic qualification with their semifinal victories.
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On the international stage Cruz competed in the last two World Championships for Puerto Rico.
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Cruz won an NCAA title for the Mountain Hawks in 2017 and is a three-time All-American, who continues to live in the Lehigh Valley and train with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club.
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The men's freestyle 57 kg bracket at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be contested Aug. 8-9.
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Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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Cruz, who competes internationally for Puerto Rico, went 3-0 Friday and secured the spot with a 2-2 criteria win over American Zane Richards in the semifinal round.
Â
He us expected to be just the second Lehigh wrestler to compete in the Olympics, joining Bobby Weaver '83, who won a gold medal in 1984 in Los Angeles.
Â
Earlier Friday, Cruz posted a 10-0 win over Brazil's Davi Silva Giovanetti, followed by a 12-1 technical fall over his LVWC teammate Guesseppe Rea, who competes for Ecuador.
Â
In his semifinal matchup with Richards, a former All-American at the University of Illinois, Cruz gave up a pair of points while failing to score while on the shot clock but scored two points by forcing stepouts, the last which came in the final seconds, giving Cruz the criteria needed to win the bout.
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Cruz did not wrestle a finals bout with he and Mexico's Roman Bravo Young having secured Olympic qualification with their semifinal victories.
Â
On the international stage Cruz competed in the last two World Championships for Puerto Rico.
Â
Cruz won an NCAA title for the Mountain Hawks in 2017 and is a three-time All-American, who continues to live in the Lehigh Valley and train with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club.
Â
The men's freestyle 57 kg bracket at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be contested Aug. 8-9.
Â
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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