Austin Gomez Breaks Silence on Continuing to Wrestle After Scary On-Mat Unconsciousness

The 27-year-old wrestler acknowledges his 'very stupid' decision to keep competing after passing out during a match.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Austin Gomez, a 27-year-old wrestler, has shared an update about his recent health scare at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, where he fell unconscious during a match but continued to compete, ultimately worsening the situation. Gomez, who has had a successful collegiate and professional career, called his decision to keep wrestling 'very stupid' and is now taking time off to spend with his family and address his health issues.

Why it matters

Gomez's story highlights the risks and challenges faced by athletes, particularly those with a history of concussions and other health issues, when they choose to continue competing despite experiencing serious medical incidents. His candid acknowledgment of his mistake serves as a cautionary tale and raises important questions about athlete safety, concussion protocols, and the balance between competitive drive and long-term health.

The details

Gomez was competing in the 70kg semifinals at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series when he faced Alec Pantaleo of the United States. Gomez fell unconscious at the 2:32 mark of the match, but despite this, he advanced to the bronze medal match due to the tournament format. However, he fell to injury default again and ultimately settled for a fifth-place finish. In a recent Instagram post, Gomez took responsibility for his decision to continue wrestling, acknowledging that it was 'very stupid' considering his history of concussions.

  • Gomez fell unconscious during his 70kg semifinal match at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.
  • Gomez advanced to the bronze medal match despite his earlier health scare.
  • Gomez ultimately settled for a fifth-place finish at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

The players

Austin Gomez

A 27-year-old wrestler who has forged a successful career at both the collegiate and professional levels, but has also faced injuries and health issues.

Alec Pantaleo

Gomez's opponent in the 70kg semifinals at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Zalkarbek Tabaldiev

The wrestler who defeated Gomez in the bronze medal match at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciate everyone who reached out to myself and my family to see how I am doing. I am doing good, I'm at home with my wife and baby boy. No one is to blame here except for myself. After I went unconscious the first time it was my decision to continue the match. Very stupid of me considering the history of my concussions but I really felt fine and the competitor in me wanted to go win.”

— Austin Gomez (Instagram)

What’s next

Gomez has confirmed that he is taking a break from competition to spend time with his family and address his health issues.

The takeaway

Gomez's story serves as a cautionary tale for athletes, highlighting the importance of prioritizing long-term health over short-term competitive goals, especially for those with a history of concussions and other serious medical incidents. His candid acknowledgment of his mistake underscores the need for stronger concussion protocols and a greater emphasis on athlete safety in high-intensity sports.