Sebastian Rivera wins Bronze Medal at 65 KG in freestyle wrestling at 2024 Paris Olympics

Sebastian Rivera finished on the podium in Paris after he won a Bronze Medal at 65 KG in the 2024 Olympic Games in freestyle wrestling.

The former Rutgers and Northwestern standout represented the Scarlet Knight Wrestling Club and Puerto Rico en route to the top of the podium. He defeated Tulga Tumur-Ochir (Mongolia) 10-9 to capture the gold medal.

The New Jersey native won a Silver Medal at the 2023 World Championships and did one better at this year’s Olympics.

In addition to his medals over the last two years, Rivera won a Bronze at the 2023 Pan Ams and a Silver back in 2022. He was also a two-time Gold Medalist in the Grand Prix in 2022, winning in Rome and Madrid.

Rivera wrestled his final two seasons in college at Rutgers, going 42-4, including a 30-1 record as a graduate senior. He finished fourth and third at 141 pounds at the NCAA Tournament.

“I loved everything about wrestling for Rutgers and Coach (Scott) Goodale,” Rivera said. “I had a lot of freedom. At a high level of wrestling, that’s kind of what you want, you want a lot of freedom. So you do what’s right for you and with their guidance, I was able to find what was perfect for me and what I needed.

“They helped me find that. Goody is a great coach and he’s a great people person and a whole great staff. It was just a great spot to be for me.”

A five-time All-American, Rivera also finished in sixth and third place at 125 for Northwestern in 2018 and ‘19. He was a coaches All-American in 2020 amid the canceled NCAA Tournament at 133 pounds.

Going into the Olympics, Rivera was named the flag bearer for Puerto Rico during the opening ceremonies.

“I don’t really know what the criteria was in terms of my being selected as the flag bearer,” Rivera said prior to leaving for Paris. “Maybe finishing second in the World Games was the best result they had all year from a Puerto Rican athlete, so that could be it. We were in the blind but I was lucky enough to be picked. I’m just really excited and humbled to be the flag bearer for Puerto Rico at the Olympic Games.”