Meet Zain Retherford, the Pennsylvania farm boy wrestling for gold medal at Paris Olympics 2024

By Agnijeeta Majumder

Modified Aug 05, 2024 16:36 GMT

Zain Retherford, the standout wrestler of the Penn State Nittany Lions, is set to compete in his maiden Olympic Games in Paris on August 10 and 11, 2024. The 29-year-old has worked his way up to the global stage after growing up on a pumpkin and produce farm in Pennsylvania.

Retherford won the World Championship title in the 70 kg category in 2023, besides his Pan American Championships gold in the same. He is widely considered as one of the most successful Nittany Lions wrestlers, winning the Dan Hodge Trophy twice and the NCAA Division 1 National Champion title on three occasions.

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Retherford moved to Pennsylvania in early childhood and grew up on a farm. In an interview, he shared his story of how hard work on the farm helped him fulfill his Olympic dream.

"Growing up on a pumpkin farm taught me hard work, and it taught me not to take wrestling for granted because there is harder work out there. I’m grateful for that childhood and I have a lot of great memories on the farm, but wrestling has nothing on growing pumpkins in terms of laboring," Retherford said to Olympics.com.

Zain Retherford won the US Olympic Team Trials in April and secured a spot in the Paris Olympics roster. Following that, he competed at the World Olympic Qualifier in May and won the bronze medal. On August 10 and 11, he will compete in the 65 kg category at the quadrennial Games.

Allen and Sarah Retherford, Zain's parents, own a farmstand and agritourism destination called Retherford’s Farm Market. On the official Facebook page of the Market, they recently posted:

"Our farm market is closed til the end of (August) so we can support Zain achieve his childhood and adult dream. Let’s go Zain and Team USA Wrestling.”

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Zain Retherford feels strong despite cutting down weight for the Paris Olympics

Competing in the 70kg, Zain Retherford experienced immense success, including two World Championship podium finishes in 2022 and 2023. But the idea to cut down his weight for the Paris Olympics to 65 kg didn't convince him in the beginning. After some inspiring words from his wife, Julianna, he was ready to compete regardless of the weight category.

"After some conversations with my wife, I decided that I wanted to compete regardless of how it would turn out with the weight cut. I put my faith in this decision and didn’t look back," Zain Retherford said. (Daily Item)

Retherford competed at the 2020 US Olympic Trials but was defeated by 2018 US Open champion Joey McKenna in the first round. Later, he also lost his consolation match against Penn State alum Nick Lee, and failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.