Wrestling with Identity
Ayzerov, a Columbia wrestling standout, is taking his talents to an international stage, stepping away from collegiate competition to represent Israel.
By Kelsea Petersen / Illustrations Editor
Originally Published for Columbia Spectator HERE
When senior Aaron Ayzerov traded his soccer cleats for wrestling shoes, he was just looking to toughen up. Sixteen years later, that decision has propelled him to become a dominant force in Ivy League wrestling at Columbia. Now, he’s taking his talent to the international stage, stepping away from collegiate competition to take a gap year to wrestle for the Israeli national team.
Ayzerov’s commitment to both his athletic aspirations and cultural identity is a driving force behind his ambition. For him, representing Israel on an international wrestling stage is not just about competition, but about embracing and honoring his heritage—a responsibility he carries with great pride.
“I’m very, very proud to represent Israel in a kind of personal way—for my family, for my heritage, for my people,” Ayzerov said. “I want to put a positive image of an Israeli athlete, both through strength and through respect and honor, out into the world.”
Ayzerov has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics. His journey presses forward with a slate of international competitions, including high-stakes appearances in France, Slovakia, and potentially, Mongolia. Strong showings in these duals could solidify his path toward an Olympic bid.
On Oct. 25, Ayzerov will compete alongside 650 of the world’s top wrestlers for the U23 World Championship title, marking his debut representing Israel on an international stage.
Facing some of the toughest competition in the sport—countries like Russia, which has earned 71 gold medals at the United World Wrestling World Championships and Olympic Games since 2000—Ayzerov knows the stakes are higher than ever. To meet the challenge, he’s ramped up his training regimen to push his limits like never before, but hard work is nothing new for Ayzerov.
“When the competition level is higher, you have to work harder, you have to be more diligent in your lifestyle, your training, your recovery. Everything has to go up a level,” Ayzerov said. “You have to fully believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you deserve to be the victor—that you worked the hardest, that you sacrificed the most, that you’re the most prepared.”
Proudly wearing his Star of David around his neck, Ayzerov embodies his Jewish heritage every day. For Ayzerov, wrestling on an international stage for Israel goes beyond mere athletic competition; it is an integral part of his identity as a Jewish athlete.
In the backdrop of Ayzerov’s journey is the war in Gaza and Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Rising reports of antisemitism across the globe have also affected the sports world, with the 2024 Paris Olympic Games seeing reports of antisemitism.
Ayzerov said he firmly believes that sports, particularly wrestling, should be free from antisemitism and political divisiveness.
“I think that sports should be—and are, especially in wrestling—the ultimate meritocracy,” he said. “You come into wrestling, nobody cares if you’re poor, if you’re rich, what race you are … even how big or small you are.”
“I think that sports is the best outlet to connect and really test what matters between people—test who worked harder and who prepared,” Ayzerov added.
As a high school student, Ayzerov wrestled for Paramus High School in New Jersey, quickly building an impressive resume and earning the No. 1 ranking in the state and No. 8 nationally. The New Jersey native, born to Russian immigrant parents, credits much of his early success to his father, who instilled toughness and self-reliance in him from a young age.
Although he was introduced to impressive international competition in high school as a member of his school’s Olympic wrestling club, Ayzerov said that his proudest achievement was earning a spot on the Columbia wrestling team.
While at Columbia, Ayzerov’s competitive edge only sharpened. Starting his collegiate career in the 174-pound weight class, he made an immediate impact, finishing third at the Southeast Open while going 2-0 overall and 1-0 in both Ivy League and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association duals.
In his sophomore year, Ayzerov moved up to the 184-pound weight class, continuing to excel. He finished eighth at the EIWA championships and earned second-team All-Ivy honors. Despite these accomplishments, Ayzerov was far from satisfied, pushing himself to improve even further.
His rigorous training regimen, which includes wrestling five to six days a week, working out three to four days, going for a run once a week, and recovering on Sundays reflects his relentless drive.
“What separates the men from the boys is being able to push past that, to kind of find an extra gear, and just to get it done—regardless of obstacles, regardless of how your body feels, how tired you are,” Ayzerov said.
That determination paid off in Ayzerov’s junior year, in which he claimed the EIWA Championship title in the 184-pound division, earned an All-Ivy honorable mention, and cracked the top 15 national rankings. His success in college and the Maccabi Games, an international Jewish multi-sport event held every four years in Israel, caught the attention of the Israeli Wrestling Federation, which had been eyeing him for the national team.
After navigating the Israeli naturalization process, Ayzerov officially joined the national team in 2024, a significant milestone in his wrestling journey.
“Every Jew on earth has the ability to become an Israeli citizen,” Ayzerov said. “So, I went through a kind of a two-year bureaucratic process to become an Israeli citizen.”
Ayzerov aims to not only succeed in upcoming international competitions but to secure his spot on the global wrestling stage for years to come.
Ayzerov’s first-year roommate and current teammate, senior wrestler Kenny Dusheck, reflected on their close friendship, emphasizing how Ayzerov has been a constant source of support both on and off the mat.
“Aaron’s absolutely a leader,” Dusheck said. “He leads by example more than anything.”
Despite Ayzerov’s many accomplishments, Dusheck was quick to note that his teammate’s dedication hasn’t wavered over the years.
“He’s just as hard of a worker now as he was when he was a freshman,” Dusheck added, underscoring Ayzerov’s relentless spirit.
His excellence isn’t limited to the mat—Ayzerov has a track record of academic success as well, from scoring a 1540 SAT to earning EIWA All-Academic honors in 2023.
