Bo Nickal Confirms He Is Going 86 KG For Olympic Team Trials
Bo Nickal Confirms He Is Going 86 KG For Olympic Team Trials
Three-time NCAA champion Bo Nickal has announced his intentions to move down to 86kg for the Olympic year.
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There's a chance we could see a David Taylor vs Bo Nickal match at Olympic Team Trials. Nickal, who had previously been competing at 92kg, confirmed today on Instagram that he will be dropping down to the Olympic weight of 86kg.
Note the caption reads, "86kg Olympic Gold Medalist here I come."
Since becoming a three-time NCAA champion at Penn State Nickal has won the US Open, won the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, made the U23 World Team, and won gold at U23 Worlds. This past weekend he defeated fellow three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer 1-1 at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club's event. You can get a full recap from that event HERE.
Along with Zahid Valencia, who defeated Nickal for the Junior World Team spot in 2016, and college rival Myles Martin, who handed Bo two of his three collegiate losses, this sets up an incredibly intriguing match with NWLC teammate David Taylor.
Taylor was a two-time NCAA champion for Penn State and won the 2018 World championship at 86kg. The Magic Man was the favorite to repeat the feat before injuring his knee. However, Taylor looked as good as ever FloWrestling: Dake vs Chamizo when he teched Myles Martin in the first period.
It was discussed last year what the ideal weight was for Nickal when he reportedly weighed in at 87.7kg while wrestling 92kg. It was speculated if this was to avoid wrestling teammate David Taylor. With no 92kg weight class at the Olympics, we may finally get this match.