Former Colby Community College all-American wrestler Bekzod Abdurakhmonov will represent his home country of Uzbekistan in the Summer Olympics Aug. 19 in Rio de Janeiro. At 74 kilograms, Abdurakhmonov secured his spot in men's freestyle wrestling at the United World Wrestling (UWW) World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.

Abdurakhmonov attended CCC from 2008-2010. He grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, before arriving in Colby to compete under legendary coach Steve Lampe. Abdurakhmonov went 84-8 on his way to two NJCAA runner-up finishes. After graduating he transferred to Clarion University, studying sports management and going 38-12 his senior year while medaling in notable tournaments.

CCC instructor Todd Voss was the assistant coach when Abdurakhmonov wrestled for the Trojans.

“Bekzod was always a hard worker and put in many extra hours in the wrestling room at CCC,” Voss said. “He was always a team leader.”

Abdurakhmonov claimed gold at the 2014 Asian Freestyle Wrestling Championships and bronze at the 2014 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships. For the last two years he joined his brother Muzaffar, also a CCC graduate and NJCAA champion in 2003 and 2004, as a volunteer assistant coach at Harvard University.

In addition to wrestling, Abdurakhmonov fights in mixed martial arts and is considered one of the standout wrestling athletes to cross-compete in MMA.