2019 national qualifier Austin Gomez has decided to medically retire from competing in the sport of wrestling. The Iowa State junior announced his decision via Twitter citing health reasons and the safety of his future.

@CycloneWR pic.twitter.com/m7YNqNxynh

— Austin Gomez (@AGomez133) December 28, 2020

Gomez was well renowned for his exciting wrestling style that included many big-time feet to back throws. Throws that often lead to big-time victories including ones over Iowa's Austin Desanto (above) and Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young. 

Watch Austin Gomez pin Roman Bravo-Young below.

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Gomez suffered several injuries during his time at Iowa State including a concussion that kept him out all of last season, a knee injury that forced him out of 2020 Senior Nationals, and a knee injury that kept him from competing at the 2018 Junior World Championships.

"I thought I'd wrestle until my body told me I couldn't do it anymore, but God has a different plan for me than I did for myself. Wrestling has taken me so far in life and I can't thank the Iowa State staff for everything they have done for me while being able to compete." - Austin Gomez

Gomez was a standout in freestyle as well. The Illinois native won the 2018 Juinor World Team Trials over Vito Arujua, made the 2017 Junior World Team Trials finals and took one match from Mitch McKee, was a 2013 Cadet World Team member, 2015 Pan Am gold medalist, and a two-time Fargo champ.

Although we only saw him on the mat for a short period of time, he brought all of us a lot of excitement with his style of wrestling.  We look forward to his continued involvement in our program and the impact he will have on his teammates." - Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser

Gomez will be missed not only by Cyclone fans, but wrestling fans in general. You can read Iowa State's full press release HERE.

The Cyclones will go with Zach Redding for the time being at 133 lbs. Although listed at 141 on the roster, Redding defeated Ramazan Attasauov 4-3 in wrestle-offs last week. The Cyclones start their season on January 3rd at home against D3 powerhouse Wartburg. You can view their full schedule HERE.