Former Penn State wrestler David Taylor is going for gold at the 2020 Olympic Games after a run of dominant performances in the early matches of the tournament.

It sets up a gold medal match at 86 kg against Iran’s Hassan Yazdani, the tournament’s top seed, on Thursday morning. The session is scheduled to start at 5:15 a.m., but the medal matches will be closer to 6:30 a.m., according to Penn State.

Taylor, 30, won his first three matches in Tokyo by technical superiority. Taylor scored an 11-0 victory against Ali Shabanou of Belarus, a 12-2 win over Myles Amine of San Marino and a 10-0 tech over Deepak Punia of India in the semifinals.

“I’ve dreamed of nothing but a gold medal. I’m going to go out and earn it every single second,” Taylor told GoPSUSports.com from Tokyo. “Back home at Penn State, we’ve got these young killers. They bring the fire every single day, and you’ve got no choice. They keep me young, excited, hungry. They help me prepare every step of the way; I am challenged all the time. I believe in myself. I want to be here.”

Taylor is a four-time All-American who won two national titles during his career at Penn State. He has carried that success to the next level, too, as a three-time U.S. champion. He has twice beaten Yazdani for World Cup and World Championships titles.

He is attempting to add a gold medal to that resume.

A couple of other Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members also are in action at the Tokyo Olympics. Thomas Gilman lost his opening match at 57 kg, but he can still advance to the bronze medal match through the repechage. Gilman is slated to wrestle Wednesday night with the opportunity to qualify for the bronze medal match.

Reigning gold medalist Helen Maroulis lost to Japan’s Risako Kawai in the semifinals at 57 kg, but she’ll have the opportunity to compete for bronze in women’s freestyle Thursday morning. Jane Valencia, who was competing for Mexico at 57 kg, lost her first match.

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