In a thrilling display of skill and determination, American wrestler Spencer Lee has secured a spot in the semifinals of the 57 kg men's freestyle category at the 2024 World Olympic Games Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey. Lee's impressive performance puts him one win away from qualifying for the highly anticipated 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Lee's quarterfinal match against Vladimir Egorov of Macedonia was a masterclass in technique and agility. With lightning speed, Lee executed a flawless inside arm/over-collar tie drag, swiftly taking Egorov down and converting it into a trapped-arm gut wrench. Despite momentarily exposing himself during one of the turns, Lee quickly regained control, securing a decisive 12-2 technical fall victory in just 54 seconds.

Notably, Egorov, a former Russian wrestler competing for Macedonia, is a formidable opponent. He is a European champion in 2022 and had previously lost to Aliabbas Rzazade of Azerbaijan in the semifinal/Olympic qualifying match at the European Olympic Games Qualifier. Lee's victory against Egorov showcases his exceptional skill and positions him favorably in the tournament.

Lee's next test comes in the form of Rakhat Kalzhan from Kazakhstan in the semifinals. Kalzhan, a two-time Asian Championships medalist, promises to be a formidable opponent as Lee strives to secure his place in the Olympics.

While Lee soared to new heights, his compatriot Zain Retherford experienced a setback in the 65 kg weight class. Retherford faced off against Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia in the round-of-16. Despite a valiant effort, Retherford fell short, losing the match 7-2. To keep his Olympic dreams alive, Retherford will need Tumur Ochir to make it to the finals, granting him a chance through the repechage.

In his earlier matches, Retherford demonstrated great resilience and skill. In the round-of-32, he dominated Ibrahim Guzan from Yemen, securing an impressive 11-0 technical fall victory. Prior to that, Retherford cruised to victory against Stefan Coman of Romania, ultimately pinning him in just 4 minutes and 38 seconds.

The men's freestyle semifinal matches are set to take place at 8 p.m. local time, with Lee's match expected to commence at 1 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States. Wrestling enthusiasts can catch the action live on Flowrestling.com. Up-to-date brackets and real-time results are available on UWW Arena.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Lee as he vies for a spot at the prestigious Olympic Games. With his exceptional talent and determination, Lee is poised to make his mark on the wrestling world and represent Team USA in Paris.