By the start of 2020, Nickal would move up to the Olympic 97 kilograms weight class in an attempt to take out Olympic Gold medalist Kyle Snyder. He effortlessly passed the first round by technical fall before facing Mohammad Mohammadian (winner of the championship), who would nullify Nickal to a 10-0 technical fall, marking the first time he had been defeated in such fashion in freestyle (since graduating) or college. In the consolation bracket, he would also have a tough time, as he had a close match with Alisher Yergali in which he was down 11-12 but was able to secure a last second takedown and earn a 13-12 point-victory. Next in the bracket was Kyle Snyder, however, Nickal did not appear on the mat, forcing the match to be ruled as a forfeit victory for Snyder and also eliminating Nickal from the tournament, placing 7th.