Wrestling preview, Aug 6: Will USA’s Amit Elor and Cuba’s Mijain Lopez grab gold?

Meanwhile, three new weight classes get underway with the Round of 16 and quarterfinals in Session 1, followed by the semifinals in Session 2.

Women’s freestyle 50kg

Japan’s Yui Susaki is the reigning Olympic and world champion in this weight class. At the last Olympics, she stormed to gold without conceding a single point during the tournament. She’ll be the No. 1 seed and favorite in Paris.

Meanwhile, American Sarah Hildebrandt, the No. 6 seed, will look to return to the podium after scoring bronze at the last Olympics. Since the Tokyo Games, she’s earned a medal at all three world championships that have taken place — two bronzes and one silver.

Greco-Roman 77kg

Japan’s Nao Kusaka is the No. 1 seed,  and Kyrgyzstan’s Akzhol Makhmudov is the two-time reigning world champion. They’ll be two wrestlers to watch in this weight class that also includes Kamal Bey, a late addition to the U.S. wrestling roster after a quota spot was reallocated.

Greco-Roman 97kg

Armenia’s Artur Aleksanyan — known as the “White Bear” — is seeking a fourth straight Olympic medal. The 2016 Olympic champion and 2023 world runner-up is the No. 1 seed in this bracket. American Joe Rau is competing in his first Olympics after coming out of retirement last year.