Jonny Gurule wins silver at U23 Pan Am Games

It was a redemption tour and a silver swan song all in one for Jonathan “Jonny” Gurule, of Los Lunas, at the U23 Pan American Games, an international wrestling tournament.

Gurule, a state champion and 2021 Los Lunas High School graduate, earned a silver medal for USA Wrestling in Greco-Roman in April at 63 kg, 138 pounds, in Queretaro, Mexico.

Flash back one year earlier, with Gurule flaming out at the same tournament in Rionegro, Columbia, losing both his matches.

“I just didn’t perform right. I was really embarrassed,” Gurule acknowledged in a phone interview from Northern Michigan University, where he just completed his studies. “I was mad at myself.”

The embarrassment stoked the competitive fires as Gurule went back to work.

“I have to redeem myself,” Gurule told himself. “I just can’t go out there again and get my butt kicked.”

The motivation worked. Gurule, 22, opened the 2025 tournament with a 12-1 victory over an Argentine wrestler. Following a heart-stopping 2-1 setback to Angel Gabriel of Mexico, the gold medalist, Gurule returned in the next round to post an 8-4 victory over a competitor from Chile to take silver.

“This year, I trained a lot harder,” Gurule admitted, focusing more on what he called visualization, positive affirmation and having fun. “I think all that made a huge difference.”

That success could open doors for Gurule, potentially leading to a bigger stage, including the World Championships and the Olympics down the road. Instead, Gurule is turning in his singlets, retiring from the sport.

As Gurule entered the arena for the silver medal match, he knew it was his last time on the mat. When it was all over, his arm raised in victory, there was a sense of not only relief, but anxiety.

“I’ve been wrestling my whole entire life. I’ve lived and breathed the sport. It’s hard to leave something you’re really good at,” Gurule noted. “I’ve learned a lot of things about myself, but I’m more eager to transfer a lot of the skills and personal development from the sport to other aspects of my life.”

On May 3, Gurule earned his diploma at NMU in finance, with his professional goals now focused on being a manager of a hedge fund. Coaching and helping with youth wrestling may also be a part of the plan.

After his final match, Gurule recalled, “I had some tears, but it was more like tears of joy. More grateful for having those experiences, being able to represent my country, my state and where I’m from.”