Aaron Brooks: Top facts you might not know about rising wrestling star
There's no better way to qualify for your debut at the Olympic Games than by beating the reigning gold medallist to do so.
That's just the path that U.S. wrestler Aaron Brooks took to book his ticket to Paris 2024.
The 23-year-old from Hagerstown, Maryland, upset Tokyo 2020 champion David Taylor twice in the 86kg (190 lbs.) category at the U.S. Olympic Trials in April, earning the four-time collegiate champion his Olympic berth.
"It's pretty cool," an understated Brooks told NBC after his triumph over Taylor. "I just told [David] I loved him. He was the heart of this program... our time comes and goes. He's inspired so many people."
Now it's Brooks' turn to inspire as he heads to his first Olympics, aiming to replicate the success of his successor in Taylor.
Find out more about American below.
Aaron Brooks: Collegiate dominance
Brooks is just one of seven men in history to sweep four NCAA collegiate national titles, doing so for Penn State from 2021-24. In his senior year, he was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler at nationals, as well as the Hodge Trophy, which is given to the nation's top collegiate wrestler each year.
This came after a glittering junior career, including the U17 world title prior to his senior year of high school and a 163-2 record for North Hagerstown High School.
Brooks would win the 2023 U23 World Championships, as well, setting him up for senior success on the cusp of the Olympic season.
Brooks' win over Taylor was full-circle: Taylor was a two-time NCAA champion, also wrestling for Penn State. He competed there from 2009-13.
Aaron and Isaiah Brooks: Combat sport brothers
While Aaron has chosen the freestyle route, his brother Isaiah has become a mixed martial arts fighter, making his debut in January of 2024 with a victory.
Isaiah was also a standout wrestler in high school, capturing a state title in Maryland as a senior.
"I love my brother," Isaiah said of Aaron in a 2016 article discussing the siblings' success on the mat - but brotherhood off of it.
Aaron Brooks: A focus on faith
Brooks has been outspoken about his Christian faith, saying after his Olympic-qualifying win over Taylor: "To journey with him, I've put my faith in him... Praise the lord."
Many of Brooks' Instagram captions are simple bible verse shout-outs. He's used his religious practice to help with his mentality in sport, too.
"I don't think you can fully practice being grateful... until you're working on being present," he said in a 2023 interview. "The only way someone is present is walking in that peace that God offers."
Brooks has a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing his faith, as well.
Connection to Olympic champ Cael Sanderson
David Taylor has been nicknamed "The Magic Man" in wrestling circles for years (a nod to his how-did-he-do-that victories), and laid out the blueprint that many future wrestlers would follow - Brooks included.
Taylor followed coach Cael Sanderson - the Athens 2004 Olympic champion in the 84kg division - from Iowa State to Penn State in 2009. Sanderson - with Taylor as his headliner - would build one of the standout collegiate programs in all of the U.S., one that would eventually draw Brooks to wrestle for the Nittany Lions, too.
The Olympic Trials was a converging of generations, with this round going to the young gun over the Olympic champion. The wrestlers both train with Sanderson at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
"Eventually, if you stick around long enough, you’re going to wrestle people that you’ve helped in the past," Taylor said of Brooks.
Sanderson, who has been instrumental in the careers of both wrestlers, "was not spotted around the mat" during Olympic qualifying, The Athletic reported.