2021 U23 World Championship

Tony's On Top: Day 7 U23 Worlds Match Notes

Tony's On Top: Day 7 U23 Worlds Match Notes

Get in real-time updates from the U23 World Championships as the final day concludes.

Nov 7, 2021 by Kyle Klingman
Tony's On Top: Day 7 U23 Worlds Match Notes

We have two wrestlers in contention for a medal. Anthony Cassioppi (125 kg) is in the gold medal match at 125 kg while Chris Cannon (61 kg) is fighting his way through the repechage. 

If you need to get caught up, here are the previous days' blogs.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6

Competition begins at 5:30 am Eastern Time with prelims and quarterfinals with semifinals beginning at 11:45 am and medal matches at 1 pm.

SCHEDULE | BRACKETS | MAT ASSIGNMENTS


Repechage (61 kg): Chris Cannon, USA vs. Nino Leutert, SUI

1st period: It looked like Cannon was about to score a takedown but Leutert pulled out a crazy counter to take a 2-0 lead with 4:58 remaining the match. Team USA challenges the call, arguing that Cannon earned four points on the exchange (feet to back). The challenge is won and Cannon receives four points for the takedown and Leutert receives two points for the counter. Cannon leads 4-2. Leutert drives Cannon out of bound, which cut the lead to 4-3. Cannon fires back with a takedown to take a 6-3 lead. He tried to convert a gut wrench but nothing was called on the mat. The officials confer to discuss the exchange. The two for Leutert so it makes the score 6-5. Cannon was deep on a shot but Leutert counters with a two-point crotch lift then Cannon reverses him for one point. The period ends 7-7. A wild first period. 

2nd period: The pace slowed down during the first half of the period with no scoring. Cannon still leads on criteria, 7-7. Cannon fires off a single-leg shot and scores a takedown to make the score 9-7. Leutert steps over for a reversal to make the score 9-8. Cannon holds his position in the closing seconds and picks up a takedown off a counter for an 11-8 win and a spot in the 61-kg bronze medal match. 

Cannon dec. Leutert, 11-8


Bronze medal match (61 kg): Chris Cannon, USA vs Narankhuu Narmandakh, MGL

1st period: Narmandakh gets in on a single-leg shot, Cannon defends with a Whizzer, they get to their feet and Narmandakh gets four points on a body lock. Three straight gut wrenches end the match 10-0.

Narmandakh tech. Cannon, 10-0


Gold medal match (125 kg): Tony Cassioppi vs Azamat Khosonov, GRE

1st: Cassioppi scores two points on a snatch single one minute into the match for a 2-0 lead. Another snatch single attempt leads to a step-out for a 3-0 lead. Khosonov tries a throw but Cassioppi counters and goes immediately into two leg laces for a 9-0 lead with 48 seconds to go in the first period. Khosonov tries for another body lock throw but Cassioppi counters and picks up the fall and a U23 World gold medal. 

Cassioppi fall Khosonov