U.S. Wrestling Team Embraces Gratitude and Peace Ahead of Paris Olympics

The U.S. wrestling team has expressed a sense of gratitude and peace ahead of the Paris Olympics. With no Russian competition, expectations are high for both the men's and women's teams. Key players like Kyle Snyder and Sarah Hildebrandt emphasize the importance of humility and mental peace over anger and obsession with achievements.

The U.S. wrestling team sounded unusually chilled out on Thursday, speaking of their gratitude and sense of peace at being at the Paris Olympics - where they could potentially excel in Russia's absence.

The USA team is widely expected to dominate the men's freestyle category with no Russian opposition to worry about, while their women will go toe to toe with powerhouse Japan. Leading the charge in the men's 97kg will be three-time world champion Kyle Snyder, who is aiming for his third successive Olympic medal.

The 28-year-old credited his consistency to his ability to stay humble, noting that he is open to learning from younger teammates, such as Aaron Brooks. 'I've learned a lot from him in the past year just wrestling with him, observing the way he moves and the unique techniques he employs,' Rio gold medallist Snyder said.

'I was just thinking like 'That's pretty cool that I was learning from him', because this is his first Olympic Games and this is my 10th world and Olympic (appearance)... I think that's what really helps me to get better, stay competitive and aim for victory.'

Brooks, who will compete in the 86kg category, was less receptive to the one piece of advice he got from Snyder, however. 'The one thing I told him was that we're gonna get a lot of gear when we come here, so you don't have to pack that much stuff' - yet he still ended up packing a bag that weighed 123 pounds,' Snyder said with a wry smile.

BEING AT PEACE Some wrestlers find anger useful on the mat, but Snyder is not one of them.

'You can channel a lot of things from anger, but it often comes with negative consequences. In contrast, gratitude helps you find peace,' he explained.

For Snyder, it’s crucial not to be fixated on achievements and to recognize life beyond sports. Sarah Hildebrandt, who will compete in the women's 50kg, echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on her own journey.

'Living in the present moment, guided by core values rather than chasing medals and results, is what brings me peace,' she said. Helen Maroulis, a gold medalist in the women's 53kg in Rio and a bronze medalist in the 57kg in Tokyo, also shared her philosophical outlook.

'I’m grateful for the experience of knowing that winning isn't everything. Being at peace with doing your best is a vital life lesson. For Paris, I feel so at peace, super content, and extremely grateful,' she concluded.