Former Brandon wrestler Franklin Gomez aims to win first Olympic gold for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has competed in every summer Olympic Games since 1948 — 18 in all — but has never, ever, won a gold medal in any sport.

Not one.

It's a notion that has played for years in the back of the mind of Puerto Rican wrestler Franklin Gomez: Could he be the first?

He just might.

It is entirely possible that on Aug. 21 after the 65-kilogram (143-pound) men's freestyle final in Rio de Janeiro, Gomez will have gold hanging around his neck — a scene that would bring cheers throughout neighborhoods near Brandon High, where in 2005 Gomez won a state title at 119 pounds for the Eagles.

"If anybody can do it, Franklin can," said Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart, who despite winning 27 state team titles and going undefeated in dual meets for 34 years has never before had a Brandon wrestler reach the Olympics. "I know what Franklin can do. I've seen it. He has the determination and the passion. He's always had it."

Gomez, who grew up in Puerto Rico and turned 30 on Aug. 5, is working on keeping things in perspective in Rio de Janeiro.

"I believe I have the potential to do great things because I have unique abilities and a different style, and that is exciting to me," Gomez said via email. "But I don't feel pressure in making history because I know that life has a bigger purpose and meaning even if I don't obtain the gold. Heading into the competition my definition of success is that 'success equals my best effort.' "

It's a mantra Gomez has repeated many times since the 2012 Olympics, where he came in with high hopes, only to get sucker-punched by a brutal flu days before the competition. Severely weakened, he quickly was knocked out of medal contention.

"The 2012 Games were hard to enjoy because of the flu and the fever," Gomez said. "I was not able to sleep and feel sharp. But from that experience I learned that sometimes I have little control over a certain situation and that I just simply need to do what I have in hand at the time."

Whatever happens in 2016, Gomez said he will still consider competing in the future, perhaps even for another Olympics.

"I feel I'm one of those who might be an exception to the rule," Gomez said in regards to the longevity question. "I try to live a healthy lifestyle in and out of the wrestling room, and I feel my body could last a little longer."

As Cozart said, "Franklin has always had the fire."

He had it at Brandon while winning a state title, and at Michigan State where he won the NCAA title at 133 pounds, and currently as an international wrestler training with Penn State's Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

Gomez said the fire really started blazing in 2005 when he moved from Puerto Rico to Brandon, a place he said will always be near and dear to his heart.

"My experience with coach Cozart was life-changing because I was craving to train with a good coach, good wrestling partners and good people," Gomez said. "(Cozart) introduced me to some great Brandon families that helped mold my character. I thank almighty God for those families and for the support and love I had while at Brandon."