Live Updates: U23 Medal Matches
Live Updates: U23 Medal Matches
Follow along as Americans Joey McKenna, Richie Lewis, Isaiah Martinez and Ty Walz all try to win medals at the U23 world championships in Poland.
Check out the medal match results for Joey McKenna (65kg), Richie Lewis (70kg), Isaiah Martinez (74kg) and Ty Walz (97kg).
65kg Bronze: Joey McKenna (USA) vs Heorhi Kaliyeu (BLR)
1st period - Kaliyeu has won three tournaments internationally, the Medved and Henri Deglane last year, as well as the 2013 junior European championship. Last year, he wrestled at both University worlds and the non-Olympic weight world championships. He was the Belorussian rep in Paris at 70kg.
To make it here, Kaliyeu had a first round bye, beat Cuba 14-4, and then France 4-3 before losing to Russia in the semis. McKenna out first, in the red singlet, white knee pad on his right knee. Kaliyeu coming out underhooking, but McKenna shoots through about 30 seconds in. First passive called and it goes against Belarus. Kaliyeu on the clock at 1:47. McKenna takes a 1-0 lead after the shot clock runs out. No real shots by other guy so far.
2nd period - Kaliyeu tries to go two-on-one but McKenna battles out of it, and you can tell Joey wants to start shooting. In a front headlock now, but blown dead at 4:03. McKenna has been very effective with his headpinch today. Over/under position as we enter the last 45 seconds of the match. Re-shot by Kaliyeu and McKenna kicks out of it! The Buckeye goes on the clock, has to score now, as he will be trailing on criteria. Restart with 33 seconds left. Low shot by McKenna,and forces Kakiyeu out right before the shot clock expires for a 2-0 lead. McKenna fends off some late attacks for his second career world medal, the first was a silver at junior worlds in 2014.
Here were McKenna's results today, his only loss was to the eventual champ.
70kg Gold: Richie Lewis (USA) vs Vinod Kumar (IND)
1st period - Kumar won three matches to make the finals: 3-0 over Georgia, 5-2 over Ukraine and 2-1 over Japan. He was India's rep at the Asian championships this year after winning silver there last year. Like Lewis though, this is his first appearance on the world stage.
Lewis comes out in a blue singlet with a leg sleeve over his left knee. Easy to tell Lewis wants to keep space and shoot while Vinod wants to tie up with underhooks and slow it down. Ref gives Lewis a stern finger wagging, but nothing more after some contact. Kumar looks very strong and tough to break through his arms for first line of defense. Lewis on the clock at 1:37. Kumar takes the 1-0 lead, though Lewis did shoot, just fought off well. Still looking for angles and once again Kumar clears a Lewis shot. The period ends that way, with Kumar executing the same gameplan he used to get here.
2nd period - Vinod keeping Lewis' butt facing the out of bounds and once again ref calling for action blue. Restart at 3:34 and Lewis is on the clock again after clearing a Kumar underhook. Chasing tail and there it is! Lewis finishes the single and is working a tight gut, but can't score. 2-1 at the 4:02 mark. Getting to the final minute as Lewis tries to work a front head and dig underhooks of his own. At the 5:12, Lewis takes a 3-1 lead after giving Kumar his leg, then re-countering and running him out of bounds. Lewis fights out of the zone, fights off an arm throw and that'll do it! Richie Lewis is the U23 WORLD CHAMPION at 70kg, bringing the gold medal home to New Jersey and Rutgers.
Here's how Lewis won his world title.
74kg Bronze: Isaiah Martinez (USA) vs Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO)
1st period - IMar gets driven out of bounds twice in the first 37 seconds. The first was just a stepout, but the second he landed on his back and gave up four. Wow, very quick low double to take a 7-0 lead. Smoothly transitions into a lace and that'll do it. Martinez takes fifth.
That was a very good opponent that just teched Isaiah in the first period. He won U23 Euros, beating Khadjiev of France in the finals. Also won the Sargysan in Armenia last month, was second at Golden Grand Prix last year, and as junior Euro bronze and junior world fifth in 2015.
Here are the complete results for Martinez from today.
97kg Bronze: Ty Walz (USA) vs Chaoqiang Yang (CHN)
1st period - Last match of the tournament for Team USA. Walz will be in the red singlet. He plans on staying down at 97kg once two day wieigh-ins begin. Good snaps from Walz early. Passive against China, 43 seconds in. He goes on the clock, still waiting on a shot from Walz. Looks like he wants Yang way off balance first. Walz takes the 1-0 lead and this is where I think he starts shooting.
2nd period - Walz taking a few steps back but is picking up the pace on his fakes. In on a single, continuation and Yang kicks out. After Yanag goes on the clock again, Walz finishes a low to high single to make it 3-0, 1:55 left to go. Patient match from Walz. Keeping on the offensive without shooting, lots of fakes and head snaps. Occasionally putting Yang in a front headlock. That'll do it, three medals on the day. Walz and McKenna win bronze, Lewis wins gold. Thanks for joining us.
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