The United States will not return home from Serbia with a medal after all three remaining athletes fell in the repechage round on Wednesday morning.
Day 3 of the 2021 U23 World Championships began at 10:30am local time in Belgrade, Serbia and aired live in the US on FLOWrestling.
Dylan Gregerson (60 kg, UVRTC), Nate Moore (72 kg, UNCO), and two-time National Champion Nick Boykin (97 kg, Sunkist/Ohio RTC) each enjoyed a new lease on life via international wrestling’s second-chance system that avails potential bronze but they were unable to capitalize. Gregerson held a 1-0 passive lead entering the second period against Mukhammadkodir Yusupov (UZB) and re-asserted himself in the ties upon the whistle. But when it was Yusupov’s turn to strike, he made it count. First came a correct-throw arm throw. Following the reset, another arm throw opened a door for Yusupov to slide into headlock position, thus keeping Gregerson on his back. The American fought the hold as long as he could to find daylight. It wasn’t happening. The fall was called at 1:53 of the second frame.
Moore gave up a takedown to Erik Persson (SWE) but defended admirably from bottom. Eventually, Persson would score a step-out and, shortly after, benefit from passivity on Moore. This time, points were not a problem for Sweden. Two gutwrenches added four ticks to the scoreboard, though Moore did reverse position on the last turn to gain a reversal point to stay alive. Later in the period, Persson locked for a throw that netted two. The US then challenged; a long review process followed, and when it was completed Persson had triumphed 10-1.
A strong comeback was almost the story for Boykin opposite Ondrej Dadak (CZE). Dadak got on the board in the first by taking advantage of passivity. The opportunity from top delivered a correct throw off the edge, putting Boykin in the hole 3-0 to start the second period. A response was in order. The passives 180’d, allowing Boykin his scoring chance of the match. Rather than go for a conventional gut, Boykin chose a reverse lock and tilted Dadak for two; but after the turn, Boykin’s lock slipped away and Dadak scampered on top to net a point. The reversal held up until the end of the match. Dadak survived with a 4-3 decision to end Boykin’s second World Championships appearance while firmly closing the book on Team USA’s time in Belgrade.
2021 U23 World Championships
November 1-3 — Belgrade, SRB
TEAM USA FULL RESULTS
55 kg: Taylor LaMont (Sunkist/UVRTC) — 5th
WON Artiom Deleanu (MDA) 2-1
WON Giorgi Tokhadze (GEO) 6-3
LOSS Poyo Dad Marz (IRI) 5-1
LOSS Nihad Guluzade (AZE) 9-0, TF
60 kg: Dylan Gregerson (UVRTC) — 17th
LOSS Mehdi Nejad (IRI) 8-0, TF
LOSS vs. Mukhammadkodir Yusupov (UZB) via fall
63 kg: David Stepanyan (NYAC/NTS) — 8th
WON Zolt Zonai (SRB) via forfeit
LOSS Corneliu Rusu (MDA) 2-0
67 kg: Alston Nutter (Sunkist/NTS) — 26th
LOSS Joni Khetsuriani (GEO) 9-0, TF
72 kg: Nate Moore (UNCO) — 10th
WON Sheku Kassegbama (SLE) via forfeit
LOSS Idris Ibaev (GER) 12-2, TF
LOSS vs. Erik Persson (SWE) 10-1, TF
77 kg: Britton Holmes (Army/WCAP) — 20th
LOSS Dilshod Omongeldiyev (UZB) 5-1
82 kg: Tommy Brackett (Gator) — 15th
LOSS Mukhammadkodir Rasulov (UZB) 8-3
87 kg: Spencer Woods (Army/WCAP) — 19th
LOSS Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) via fall
97 kg: Nick Boykin (Sunkist/Ohio RTC) — 12th
WON Gerard Kurniczak (POL) 8-3
LOSS Artur Sargsyan (RUS) 11-0, TF
LOSS Ondrej Dadak (CZE) 4-3
130 kg: Brandon Metz (Bison WC) — 13th
LOSS Vladyslav Kovalenko (UKR) 2-1
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