Going into the 2016 Non-Olympic Weight World Championships, Patrick Martinez (80 kg, USA, world no. 15) was recognized as someone with a legitimate shot at a medal. There was a reason for that. The 26-year old has enjoyed a stellar year, earning spots on two US World teams along with bronze medals at a few tough overseas events. With Martinez’s stock on the rise, a medal at the Non-Olympic World tournament had the potential to put quite the exclamation point on 2016.
Unfortunately for Martinez, his quest for the podium was halted all-too-early.
On this, the second day of competition at the 2016 Non-Olympic World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Martinez did not have the opportunity to find a rhythm against Ashkat Dilmukhamedov (KAZ). At the whistle, Martinez urged forward to engage his opponent, clawing in to start negotiating position through his ties. An early clash of heads immediately opened up a cut over Martinez’s right eye but that would have to wait. In trying to answer back against Martinez, Dilmukhamedov got in on a slide-by to put Martinez on the mat, picking up two in the process. A gutwrench by Dilmukhamedov turned Martinez twice for a quick 6-0 lead. Action was then stopped so that the medical personnel could tend to the American, who had his head wrapped to avoid further disruption from the blood.
Once the action resumed with Martinez down in par terre, Dilmukhamedov locked on another gutwrench. Martinez did well to defend the initial attempts but as the pair gathered near the edge Dilmukhamedov finally muscled Martinez over for another two points, ending the match and providing Martinez with a surprising 8-0 loss in his second World Championships appearance.
Dilmukhamedov was defeated by Turkey’s Aslan Atem in the quarterfinals, eliminating Martinez from medal contention.
We will close the book on the 2016 Non-Olympic World Championships with follow-up summaries and more later, so stay with us.
