Takedown Report

For Kyle Snyder, Third Trip To Olympics A Different Kind Of Special

Woodbine native Kyle Snyder will head to his third Olympic Games this summer, as the wrestler will travel to Paris in search of the second Olympic gold medal of his career.
This trip to the Olympics takes on a little different meaning for Snyder than the previous two. His son, Judah, will be along for the ride for the first time. “I’ve always wanted to be a dad, so I wouldn’t say that it’s really changed my perspective on wrestling too much other than an added emphasis on competing the way that God wants me to and competing as hard as I can and winning,” Snyder said. “I want to be a good example to him. There aren’t a lot of kids that get to watch their dad compete. I feel like it’s a great way to show them the way that you think and that you’re not afraid and you’re willing to put it on the line every time and go as hard as you can.”
Snyder, 28, won the 97kg freestyle title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials at Penn State to qualify for the same competition at the Paris Games this summer. His family and friends, including Judah and his wife Maddie, sat mat side. He didn’t know exactly where they were sitting as he locked up his spot in Paris, but he found them after. His first hug was for Judah, who turns 2 in October.
“It’s fun, but also I’m used to wrestling overseas,” Snyder said. “My family isn’t there, so after you wrestle you’re not really used to seeing them, so it takes a second to really take that in.”
Snyder will look to complete some unfinished business in Paris. The 5-foot-11 grappler became the youngest gold medalist in U.S. Olympic wrestling history at the Rio Games in 2016, taking home the 97kg freestyle title. However, he fell just short at the Tokyo Games in 2021, losing to rival Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) in the 97kg freestyle final.
Snyder quipped that he “learned in Tokyo that gold is a lot better than silver.” “Being an Olympic year does add even more motivation because it’s only every four years and nothing is guaranteed that I’ll be on the team in another four years, so I want to make the most of this opportunity and wrestle like my life depends on it,” Snyder said.
Typically, Snyder trains Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the mat, in the weight room and for his conditioning work. Wednesday and Sunday serve as recovery days. The State College, Pa., resident trains at Penn State, but he still has a lot of family in Maryland. … more at … Pressboxonline.com/Kyle-snyder-third-trip-to-olympics-a-different-kind-of-special

June 29, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment