The returns of both Ildar Hafizov (59 kg) and Michael Hooker (71 kg) have been a success so far at the 2017 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships, held at Joint-Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Hafizov, competing for the first time since the 2016 Olympic Trials finals, looked like he never left. In the Army’s first dual of the morning against Navy, Hafizov rushed past Michael Hollingsworth for a technical fall. He would garner another tech in the second dual. Hafizov used a lift, a turn and then a reverse lift to take out Air Force’s Randy Duncan. Healed and back from a knee injury, Hafizov has been very impressive to begin the day.
Perhaps not quite as dominant but back on track just the same is Hooker. It took a few seconds for Hooker to get warm but once he did, he was on his game. Hooker powered through Bobby Yamashita (Navy) via technical fall, one of his patented headlocks making an appearance early on. However, Bobby Mueller (Air Force) provided a stiff test for Hooker in his next match. The Tennessee native still was able to get to tie-up positions that allowed him to work, but the bigger opportunities Hooker likes to look for were quickly closed. It was still good enough for a 6-2 win, giving him a 2-0 ledger on the day.
The match of the morning took place at 80 kilos between Brandon Johnson (Air Force) and Michael Brant (Marines). Johnson rocketed out to a 14-7 lead, at one instance lifting Brant up for an emphatic four-point throw. But Brant stayed in it and eventually clawed back into this thing. He kept heavy inside and tried to push the pace, momentarily disrupting Johnson’s rhythm. Brant closed the gap to 14-12, only Johnson got his motor going again. An injury time-out for Brant put a temporary halt to the action when Johnson attempted to take Brant over. But once action resumed, it was all Johnson, who hustled out seven more points to snag a tech fall victory that put the pro-Air Force crowd in attendance on its feet.
2017 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships Rounds 1 & 2
Army — 33 Navy — 1
59 kg: Ildar Hafizov (Army) def. Michael Hollingsworth (Navy) 10-0, TF
66 kg: Ellis Coleman (Army) def. Randy Bucsok (Navy) 8-0, TF
71 kg: Michael Hooker (Army) def. Bobby Yamashita (Navy) 10-0, TF
75 kg: Dillon Cowan (Army) def. Austin Craig (Navy) 12-4, TF
80 kg: Courtney Myers (Army) def. Joseph Marques (Navy) 9-0, TF
85 kg: Lucas Sheridan (Army) def. Daniel Mazzie (Navy) fall, :58
98 kg: Endhyr Meza (Army) def. Antonio Harris (Navy) 8-0, TF
130 kg: Toby Erickson (Army) def. Zacharia Manning 8-0, TF
Marines — 23 Air Force — 12
59 kg: Colton Rasche (Marines) def. Randy Duncan (USAF) 8-0, TF
66 kg: Raymond Bunker (Marines) def. Nate Higgins (USAF) 7-3
71 kg: Brandon Mueller (USAF) def. JayShon Wilson (Marines) 4-1
75 kg: John Stefanowicz (Marines) def. Tyler Westlund (USAF) 9-0, TF
80 kg: Brandon Johnson (USAF) def. Michael Brant (Marines) 21-12, TF
85 kg: Sherwin Severein (USAF) def. Vaughan Monreal-Berner (Marines) 6-2
98 kg: Daniel Miller (Marines) def. Raul Velez (USAF) fall, :32
130 kg: Trent Osnes (Marines) def. Francisco Mata (USAF) 14-4
Army — 30 Air Force — 2
59 kg: Ildar Hafizov (Army) def. Randy Duncan (USAF) 10-0, TF
66 kg: Ellis Coleman (Army) def. Nate Higgins (USAF) 10-0, TF
71 kg: Michael Hooker (Army) def. Brandon Mueller (USAF) 6-2
75 kg: Dillon Cowan (Army) def. Tyler Westlund (USAF) 9-0, TF
80 kg: Courtney Myers (Army) def. Brandon Johnson 8-0, TF
85 kg: Lucas Sheridan (Army) def. Serwin Severin (USAF) 3-1
98 kg: Endhyr Meza (Army) def. Raul Velez (USAF) 9-0, TF
130 kg: Toby Erickson (Army) def. Francisco Mata (USAF) 9-0, TF
Marines — 34 Navy — 2
59 kg: Colton Rasche (Marines) def. Michael Hollingsworth (Navy) fall, 1:53
66 kg: Raymond Bunker (Marines) def. Randy Bucsok (Navy) 12-2, TF
71 kg: JayShon Wilson (Marines) def. Bobby Yamashita (Navy) 7-3
75 kg: John Stefanowicz (Marines) def. Austin Craig (Navy) 8-0, TF
80 kg: Michael Brant (Marines) def. Joseph Marques (Navy) 8-0, TF
85 kg: Vaughan Monreal-Berner (Marines) def. Daniel Mazzie (Navy) 10-1, TF
98 kg: Daniel Miller (Marines) def. Antonio Harris fall, 1:21
130 kg: Trent Osnes (Marines) def. Zacharia Manning (Navy fall, :33
