Not everyone left the Bryce Jordan Center with their punched ticket to Paris on April 19. The US Wrestling Olympic Trials have been thrilling, but not for all participants. For Olympic medalist and two-time World Champion J’Den Cox, the dream of competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics fell short after conceding a defeat in the semifinal matchup.

The 97kg weight class was filled with talents and fans were waiting in line to see some truly breathtaking moments on the mat. Cox, the former national champion, was a favorite in the category, with many fans hoping to see the ex-Missouri student once again making it to the national team with style. However, things turned out very differently. Taking a decision loss to Kollin Moore, Cox decided to bid adieu to the sport in a riveting manner.

In their recent X post, the official USA Wrestling account waved goodbye to one veteran of the sport with a heavy heart. “Thank you for your contribution to the sport of wrestling, J’den Cox“, reads the caption of the post. The accompanying video shows J’Den leaving the mat while taking his shoes off, which is a ritual wrestlers do as a mark of respect for the sport.

The three-time NCAA champion was eyeing his last shot at glory on the grand stage, but Ohio’s Kollin Moore had different plans. Moore went on to the finals after dropping a 2-2 decision. However, after defeating J’Den, he himself lost the chance to face Kyle Snyder with Isaac Trumble proving to be a superior opponent. After the defeat, Cox came clear about why he decided to retire.

An illustrious journey comes to an end

29-year-old Cox is a two-time world champion and three-time NCAA champion for Missouri. His first Olympic trial match since 2016 against Christian Carroll went pretty uneventful, and fans were hoping to see him roar back into action for the next matches. But in reality, a sensational career came to an end. As he reflected on his decision, a fiercely practical soul came out.

“I think if I’m losing to guys I was beating before, I’m doing a disservice to myself and them to stay a part of it. It’s hard, I love this sport, but, you know, I’ve had a great career,” Cox said after the match. Truly great it was, especially after the struggles he had to go through.

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In his sophomore year in college, J’Den lost his hearing partially. He then battled depression only to bounce back from adversities, which saw him become a staunch advocate of mental health. “From the outside looking in, people might look at my life and think I’ve got everything. But depression can affect anyone.“, noted Cox in a later interview. With him retiring, one of the biggest representatives of wrestlers with difficulties now taking his leave, and understandably, some fans can’t cope with the news. But more action awaits tomorrow to compensate for the Olympian’s goodbye to the sport we so love.