2018 UWW World Championships

2018 World Championships: Day 1 Match Notes

2018 World Championships: Day 1 Match Notes

Live updates of the first session of the first day of the 2018 UWW Senior World Championships from Budapest, Hungary.

Oct 20, 2018 by Andrew Spey
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Updates live from Budapest, Hungary! It's the 2018 World Championships!

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Updates live from Budapest, Hungary! It's the 2018 World Championships!

Good morning and salutations to all my bleary-eyed friends stateside! We are blogging to you live from inside Papp Lazlo Arena. That's right, the blogging is coming from INSIDE the arena. 

We have some fancy live blogging software for this purpose but I'm not going to use it because I need to organize these updates by weight class for your convenience. So you need to smash that refresh button early and often. For the finals (which are tomorrow, it's a 2-day format now), we may bust out that auto-updating software again. 

In this round, weight classes 61, 74, 86 & 125 kg will go from the pigtails through the quarterfinals. We'll then break for lunch (mmm... goulash...) and then come back to this very page for the semifinals. 

Then, tomorrow, it's prelims for 57, 65, 79 & 92 kg, then semis for the same and repechage for 61, 74, 86 & 125, then another break, then the medal matches for 61, 74, 86 & 125. Oh baby. 

We're about 30 minutes from go time in the arena. I'm going to chill out to this DJ who is blasting some real chill techno and maybe provide some pics from my sleek Android Galaxy. Apologies in advance for all the typos!

Now see, a lesser journalist would include this photo with a caption saying, "The calm before the storm." But not me. I would never stoop to such a cliche. Now, let's get ready to rumble!

Rodney Dangerfield voice: "Keep it fair, keep it fair."

It's 10:30 and wrestlers have entered the arena. And there's the first whistle! I gotta say, maybe this is just the nuclear grade European coffee talking, but I am pretty hype right now!

Sidebar: we're halfway through the first session and they've played the Mission Impossible theme song at least a dozen times since wrestling began. I don't understand it. Maybe Hungarians just love the Mission Impossible theme song? I will investigate. 

Americans get every wrestler through to the quarters. This is a pivotal round, as a win in the quarters guarantees at least a fifth-place finish and 10 big team points. A loss and you need to pray for repechage. 


61 Kilograms

Colon vs Bileichuk

Colon finally gets on the mat against Ukraine. Bileichuk beat Kazakhstan 11-1 in a pigtail bout. No score through 90 seconds. They go upper body but Colon loses balance and it's 4 for Bileichuck. Colon Gets a reversal and then a high gut turn for 2. It's 4-3, Colon down 1. Takedown by Bileichuck makes it 6-3. Colon with double overs. Trying to bulldog Bileichuck over now. Will settle for a step out. 6-4 Ukraine at the break.

Back in action. Colon stepping in with unders. Tries a whip over. Gets another step out. They lock up yet again, by the edge of the mat, and its 2 for continuation with a body lock for Colon. He leads now 7-6. Under 2 to go. Colon playing defense now. 60 seconds. A scramble in the final seconds, Colon gets the around Bileichuck, and he'll seal it with 5 seconds to go. Joe Colon wins his first World Championship match 9-6 and is on to the quarterfinals!

Dubov taking on Topal now. Winner will get the pleasure of meeting Joe Colon on the mat next. A slow match that got interesting towards the end. Dubov takes it 8-6 and looks exhausted. 

Colon vs Dubov

Dubov beat Dane Dennis in the Rio Olympics with a devastating gut wrench. A win from Colon here would be huge for the team race. Colon goes fearlessly in with double unders and Dubov quits to give up 2. Then a gut wrench on the edge gives Colon a 4-0 lead with 5 minutes left in the match. Another big four for Colon, he takes a 8-0 lead! This time the bodylock gets Dubov on his back. Four minutes left in the match. And a takedown ices it! TECH FALL IN THE FIRST. JOE COLON WILL WRESTLE FOR A MEDAL. 

Colon fired up the USA crowd as he punches his ticket to the semifinals!

SEMIFINALS: Colon vs Bonne

This should be a fun one. Joe Colon went beast mode in his quarterfinal win against Dubov of Bulgaria. Bonne of Cuba came back from the dead to just barely beat Yakheshi from Iran in a thriller. And it's just one mat for this, Colon and Bonne are underway! A cautious first period. Colon doesn't want to go charging in as Bonne is dangerous. he is also 33, which, and I'm not trying to be ageist, but is old for world class wrestlers. No scores at 4:19 and Colon goes on the shot clock. Colon digs double unders and starts loading Bonne up, they're both on they're both on their toes, and they come crashing to the mat, somehow no one scores offensive points. Colon gives up the shot clock but that's it. 0-1 and they go back to the center. In short time Bonne inside trips and runs Colon right over to his back for 4. Time runs out but the ref does not blow the whistle and Bonne gets another turn. They put 2 more on the board but that'll be challenged and better be overturned. Time was well gone by the second turn. And the challenge is won, it is back to 5-0 Bonne. 

The second period begins. Nothing after a minute. Colon in a front headlock, trying to make something happen. Bonne not dragging at all, looks fresh. Bonne ducks, gets a full body lock and power bombs Colon to the mat for 4. It's 9-0. Bonne working for the tech, but Colon doesn't expose. Instead, he's able to get the reversal. Back on their feet. 9-1 Bonne. Colon goes unders to body wrap for 2 at the edge but we're down to 15 seconds. Bonne is running away but it doesn't matter. Caution and 1 makes it 9-4. Times runs out and that'll do it. Colon to the repechage, Bonne to the finals. 

Colon will have to beat the winner of Guidea from Moldova and Yakheshi from Iran to win bronze. The safe bet is to prepare for Yakheshi. 


74 kilograms

Burrough's opponent is from Liberia, who's flag is based on the American flag. Just some fun flag trivia for all my vexillology-heads out there. 

Just got word that Juah, JB's opponent, might not have weighed in? So this could be a bye for Jordan. In other 74kg news, Chamizo going to work on Dhalilov of Tajikistan. Chamizo wins 9-0 and looked pretty dang slick in the process. Meanwhile, Jordan indeed wins by forfeit.His next opponent will be Hossienkhani of Iran (who has to beat a dude from Palau first but you can book it now).  

Kirov of Bulgaria now has Sidakov of Russia. Sidakov is the big favorite and could be Burrough's quarterfinals opponent. Sidakov won by 10-0 tech in 5:35. Looked very good versus an outclassed Kirov but certainly not unbeatable.

Nestor Taffur of Boston University vs Franklin Gomez of Michigan State up right now. Gomez wins 13-2. Hosseinkhani wins 11-1 over Palau. Kentchadze with a huge come from behind win, was down 8-0 then wins 12-12 over Bekzod Abdurakhmonov. Demirtash from Turkey wins by tech over Guam.

Burroughs vs Hossenkhani

Burroughs finally gets to wrestle against a familiar county with Iran. No score after a minute. They're tying up, which is atypical for Jordan who likes to work from space. No scores after 90 seconds and JB goes on the shot clock. Iran controlling the ties. Burroughs gives up the shot clock point. Burroughs bullies Iran out of bounds for 1. Score tied. Classic JB double for 2 as time runs out in the period. 3-1 USA up at the break. 

Action in the second period, no scores after a minute. 2 to go. Hosseinkhan gets a leg, and is able to covert. Has a lace but crazy defense from JB and it's 3-3, Iran up on criteria. One minute to go. 30 seconds. Burroughs driving, gets a step out. 4-3, 15 seconds to go. Burroughs holds on! A USA chant breaks out after all the American fans' hearts fall back out of their throats and back into their chests where they belong. 

Sidakov takes out Franklin Gomez 6-0. It will be Burroughs vs the Russian in the quarters. Chamizo beats Gong of South Korea. Chamizo has Kazakhstan next. Winner sees either Burroughs or Sidakov. 

Burroughs vs Sidakov

This match has pretty massive team race implications, obviously. And here we go. Quick ankle pick from JB defended by Sidakov. Throwby attempt from Sidakov misses. Burroughs warned for passivity. One minute down. Burroughs on the clock at 4:32. Burroughs fakes and then hits a very low double to make it 2-0, shot clock erased. Throwby get's Jordan this time, though he very nearly defended. 28 seconds left in the period. No scores in short time and we go to the break tied 2-2 with Sidakov up on criteria. 

Second period begins and Sidakov is warned for hands to the face. Reattack from Burroughs gets him a single leg, he nearly finished for two but Sidakov escapes with a step out only. 3-2 JB. 2 minutes to go. Weak shot by Sidakov and he's got in a front head. Stalemate and a restart with 1:45 to go. Collar ties, Sidakov crowding JB. They're back in the center, one minute to go. Sidakov going into collar ties again. Duck under and Sidakov's in deep. He converts for two. 21 seconds to go, 4-3 Burroughs. Burroughs setting up his shot, he gets a low double and they go out of bounds. 8 seconds Burroughs up 5-4. Sidakov right in after the whistle, he's got Burroughs in trouble, he gets a step out as time expires. Literally by a tenth of a second. Unreal and devastating. The challenge is lost. Sidakov to the semis 6-5. JB has to hope Sidakov beat Chamizo in the semis. 

SEMIFINALS: Sidakov vs Chamizo

As gross as it is to root for a Russian, at least with regards to the Men's freestyle ream race, Burroughs needs Sidakov to beat Chamizo to get pulled into the repechage and have a chance at bronze. Sidakov scores a shot clock point to go up 1-0, and somehow thats the score at the end of the first period despite an insane scramble (as if Chamizo is ever in scrambles of the pedestrian variety). 

Second period is a reverse of the first. Scrambles but no offensive scores. Sidakov gives up a shot clock point and trails by criteria, 1-1. Now Sidakov gets himself a go behind to make it 3-1. 42 seconds left in the match. Chamizo going crazy with the head fakes, gets a step out, makes it 3-2 with 9 seconds left. Sidakov fends of Chamizo. Sidakov beats Frank Chamizo, his second 2017 world champ in consecutive matches, to make the finals. Burroughs is pulled into the repechage. Ridiculous match. 

In the repechage, Burroughs will have the winner of Gomez of Puerto Rico and Kirov of Bulgaria. If he wins that he'll get a third crack at Chamizo, this time with a bronze medal on the line. Crazy bracket this Budapest 74kg.

86 Kilograms

Our first 'American' goes down. Dom Abounader gets tech-falled by Ville Heino.

TAYLOR VS YAZDANI

David Taylor and Hassan Yazdani walking to the mat. They both jump to the center. Immediately Yaz gets warned for hands. There's a scramble, great wrestling, Yazdani get's a step out point. Yaz crazy tough with the underhook, and throws by for a takedown. 3-0 Yaz. 

Yaz trying for a snap go behind but Taylor scrambles up a leg and tips Yaz for 2. Score cut to 3-2, 90 seconds left in the first period. Yaz get's in on a leg, David goes chest wrap but can't get Yaz over and David gives up two more. It's 5-2, less than a minute in the first. David takes a good shot but deep sprawl by Yaz neutralizes it. Counter by Yaz then gets another step out and it's 6-2 at the half. 

DT has been down to Yazdani before. He used his pace to break him last time they wrestled. Second period under way. Another great scramble and a masterful step over by Taylor gives him the takedown. It's 6-4. Yaz slow to get up. Shot by Yaz, Taylor counters and scores, he leads by criteria 6-6. 90 seconds left in the match. Hi C by David and he converts. 8-6 Taylor now, 59 seconds to go. David pushing the pace, in on a shot and gets a step out, 9-6, Yazdani slow again to the center. 34 seconds left after a stalemate. A scramble, Taylor wins it, 11-6 with time running out. David Taylor beats the defending Olympic and world champion!!! I have goosebumps. 

Superior scrambling and conditioning was the difference. Huge win for Team USA and crushing loss to Iran's best hope for a gold medal.  

In other 86kg new, Yunieski Torreblanca of Cuba just won 6-2 over Uzbekistan. He could be David's opponent in the quarterfinals. David's round of 16 opponent will be either Rajabov of Blearus or Davlumbayev of Kazakhstan. They are wrestling now. Rajabov, up 4-0, taking injury time to get his head wrapped. Got a bunch of blood all over the mat. 

So Rajabov just though he heard the whistle for the intermission but there were about 4 seconds left and Davlumbayev just went back arch for four. Rajabov is furious. He lost his head wrap and is bleeding again. The judges wave off the points but now Davlumbayev is challenging. This may get wild if Dav wins the challenge. Nope, challenge denied. I saw time left on the clock when that throw happened but no idea what the mitigating circumstances were. I couldn't here but the ref definitely could have blown the whistle early, in which case that's the correct call. Rajabov finally whins 9-2. Got two cautions for fleeing in the final 30 seconds. He's massive and got slick technique but he's also got a head wound and his gas tank is suspect. Next round will be a war. 

Taylor vs Rajabau

DT's next match up now against a very tough Belarus wrestler (originally from Dagestan). Handfighting through a minute but no committed attacked. Rajabov put on the clock. Rajabov gives up a point, made no attempt to score. Pause for Taylor to put a contact lens back in. Deep single leg by Taylor and he converts cleanly. 3-0 DT with 42 seconds left in the first. Another shot by DT but Raj blocks and they get a stalemate. Another shot by DT, Raj catches it and tries to throwby by David recovers. 3-0 after 1 period. 

Second period, Rajabov with the headwrap. Taylor looking like he's got plenty in the tank. Rajabov in a deep shot, beautiful scrambling from David to somehow not give up a takedown. He wins a stalemate, still 3-0 with 2:08 left. 90 seconds to go, Taylor double leg gets a stepout, 4-0. DT in on another shot, Rajabov goes chest wrap but Taylor powers through for 2. Then a gnarly bent leg turk for an exposure makes it 8-0, 30 seconds left, Taylor cruising now. A go behind off a desperation shot by Rajabov makes it a 10-0 tech fall. touch and go for a bit bu Taylor dominates his way to the quarterfinals. He'll have either Cuba or Mongolia next. 

Taylor vs Torreblanca

This was a close one last time they wrestled in the first round of the Yarygin. David won 4-4 on criteria. David gets in on a single early and drives Torreblanca out for a 1-0 lead. Locked in collar ties, David does a slick arm drag and stays on Torreblanca (TB) for a go behind. 3-0 DT. A minute to go in the first. TB takes a half shot, nothing doing. Another half shot defended. 30 seconds left in the first. DT being selective, fake shot then a real one and DT grabs 2 more in short time. He leads 5-0 at the break. 

Second period underway. TB pushing in hard. DT clears the ties. 2 minutes to go in the match. No shots yet from TB. DT clearing ties and keeping TB on his toes. Half shot by TB but David defends. TB in on his first real attack, but Taylor's scrambling is too much. He gets two more, 7-0 with 50 seconds to go. Another scramble, another point for David. He is on a mission right now. And that's how it ends, David Taylor is on to the semis and will wrestle for a medal in his first ever World Championships! Nothing close about this one. Taylor in command the entire time. 

DT will see Dauren Kurugliev of Russia, who advances with a 5-1 win over a tough Polish wrestler. USA vs Russia, Taylor road through hell continues. Should be a good one!

SEMIFINALS: Taylor vs Kurugliev

Our second USA vs Russia semifinal of the afternoon. Taylor never faced Kurugliev before but he beat Naifonov at Yarygin who beat Kurugliev at the same tournament. At RusNats, Kurugliev eked by Naifonov. Cautious first so far, then David fires off a low level shot and Kurugliev steps out on his counter attempt. 1-0 Taylor. 90 seconds left in the first. Taylor in on a single, close to finishing but Kurugliev limps legs out, and appears to kick Taylor in the face when he does so. Taylor hits the mat and they call for injury time. DT shakes it off but it looks like it going to be that kind of match. Kurugliev back in on a shot, now converts for two. 3-1 Dauren Kurugliev (DK). Less than a minute left in the first. DT putting pressure on but DK hits a slick arm drag go behind to make it 5-1 in short time. Time runs out in the first and they go to their corners. Solid lead for DG but DT may be able to gas him in the second. He's done it to other wrestlers of Kurugliev's caliber. 

Shot by DT right off the whistle and after a battle he converts with a step over. 5-3 still Kurugliev's lead. Taylor again on a shot, Kurugliev tries to sit, spin and limp leg, Taylor gets both legs but is stalemated. Now Taylor has Kurugliev in a scramble and his superior funk takes over. Two for Taylor and he takes the lead by criteria. 5-5 with 90 seconds to go in the match. Down under a minute. Collar ties and hand fighting. Kurugliev keeping his distance now with about 30 to go. It's getting dicey now, Kurugliev looking for his shot. He goes in, Taylor counters. DT is going score the TD to ice it. Thats it! David Taylor wins 7-5! OUR FIRST AMERICAN FINALIST!

Pardon me while I shed my journalistic objectivity for a moment. Hell yes. 

Thank you for indulging me. 

David Taylor is pumping up this sizable American contingent. It is a glorious site. 

125 Kilograms                                                       

Amar Dhesi in a battle with Deng from China. Gwiz up soon on the neighboring mat. Gwiz the last American to wrestle a match today. Taylor's already had two.     

Gwiazdowski vs Zolboo

Gwiz beat Zolboo for bronze in Paris last year. Zolboo is actually his first name but his last name is way longer so I will be using Zolboo and Gwiz for these live updates. Each key stroke adds up! And we're off. Single leg for Zolboo, Gwiz defends, limp legs and spins for two. Nope, it was two for Zolboo and Nick gets just one for the reversal. Odd call. Back on their feet, 1 minute left in the first. Nick gets a double and converts out the back door for two to take the lead 3-2. 35 seconds left in the first. They head to intermission same score. 

Burroughs wrestling simultaneously now, Nick gets two, then another go behind and its 7-2 just like that. Another go behind and it's 9-2. Zolboo gets two with 20 seconds left. And that's it, Gwiz win 9-4 and the Americans stay perfect. 

Gwiazdowski vs Deng

Deng is a very tough heavy. Ranked in the top 20 and beat Amar Dhesi convincingly to make it to the quarters. A cautious first period so far. No scores after 90 seconds. Gwiz gets warned for passivity and then promptly scores off a single leg. 2-0 with 1 minute to go in the first. A couple of attacks from Gwiz and Deng in short time but no scores. Still 2-0 at the break.

Second period underway. Collar ties and handfighting. Nick shoots underneath and gets caught in a front headlock. They wrestle out of it. 2 minutes to go. Gwiz gets put on the clock which makes no sense to me. He shoots in off the whistle and just barely avoid a head pinch. 90 seconds to go, Nick gives up a shot clock point. 2-1 Gwiz still ahead. Deng starting to slow down. 1 minute left. Nick goes underneath and now the headpinch hits for four. Big move for Deng. 5-2, Nick escapes and gets a takedown. Looking for the gut, doesn't get it. It's 5-4 with 6 seconds left. Nick's attack is defended, and Deng holds on for the come from behind win. That headpinch for four was the difference. 

SEMIFINALS: Deng vs Sumit

Final match of signifigance for the USA. Gwiz needs Deng to beat Sumit of India to get pulled into the repechage. Deng wins 5-0. Sorry for the lack of updates. Got a lot going on right now. Gwiz will have Amar Dhesi and then Sumit of India for bronze. 

OK that's it for Day 1. Thanks for hanging out with me. Sorry again for all the typos. See you tomorrow for Day 2!