Why Didn’t Nick Suriano Qualify For the Tokyo Olympics 2020?

Qualifying for the Olympics and representing your nation at the biggest sporting event is a dream come true for every athlete. It is for this exact dream that Nick Suriano took a two-year hiatus from college wrestling; for a spot on the Olympic Team for USA.

He initially planned to take a one-year break from collegiate competition to focus on the Olympic Trials. All that changed when the pandemic hit and the games got postponed for another year. He doubled down and took another year off to train for the trials.

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Nick Suriano: Preparation for the Olympic Trials

Nick Suriano is a former folk-style NCAA champion and a Big Ten conference champion, representing Rutgers University. As a freestyle wrestler, he won the Gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix this year. 

The trials were being held in April earlier this year to determine which athletes will represent the U.S. at the Olympics. Nick Suriano was a contender to win the 57 kg spot in men’s freestyle. When they released the initial seeds, Nick was given the No.5 seed at 57 kg.

Even though Suriano was the fifth seed, he was in excellent form this year. He won the Henri Deglane Grand Prix in January and won silver at the Matteo Pellicone tournament in March. 

He went 3-2 in his last tournament, with both losses coming again a two-time world medallist from Russia. 

One swab crushed his Olympic dreams

For eight months leading up to the Olympic Trials, Nick Suriano was only focused on staying healthy and fit. All he wanted to do was stake his claim at the 57 kg category at the Olympic Trials. He also claimed to be in the best shape of his life, leading up to the trials.

Only days before the Olympic Trials, a nasal swab changed the fate of the young wrestler. He tested negative before he boarded his flight to Texas, but being tested on arrival yielded a positive result.

He never got to step onto the mat, despite giving it his all. The positive Covid test meant he had to quarantine, which led to him missing the Olympic Trials. His Olympic dream, years in the making, was over. 

Time is on his side as the young wrestler has a couple more Olympic trials to give in the years to come. As frustrated as Nick Suriano may feel, the wrestling world is excited to see him perform in other events this year. Eventually, it may lead to an Olympic medal.