The United States will exit the latest iteration of the Junior Worlds with three medals — their most since 2019 — following three impressive individual performances that were punctuated by a heavyweight who rose to the occasion despite being hampered by an injury.
Day 2 of the 2024 U20 World Championships began at 10:00am local time from Pontevedra, Spain and streamed live in the US on FLOWrestling.
On Monday, Isaiah Cortez (55 kg, Daniel Cormier WC) and Otto Black (63 kg, CTT) advanced to the finals of their respective weight categories after persevering through a string of difficult matches, though both did manage to close the day with a flourish. Aydin Rix-McElhinney (77 kg, Northern Colorado WC), who provided reigning U20 World champ Alireza Abdevali (IRI) with a stiff test, had a spot in this morning’s repechage. So too did ’22 U20 World bronze Aden Attao (130 kg, NYAC/Beaver Dam RTC). Attao, 19, was defeated in the opening round but, like Rix-McElhinney, was pulled back in when his vanquisher (Laszlo Darabos of Hungary) earned a spot in the gold-medal match.
Thus was the situation entering Tuesday: Cortez and Black had already guaranteed that the US would depart from Spain with at least two pieces of hardware; and both Rix-McElhinney and Attao faced a seemingly uphill climb in the repechage if they were to add onto the US medal tally. Five other Americans were taking the mat for the first time on Tuesday, as well — but, unfortunately for the US, none of the five were able to fight their way into medal contention.
In the end, it all translated to two Americans earning silver and Attao finishing with the second U20 World bronze of his skyrocketing Greco career.
Cortez & Black
Cortez put his best foot forward against ’22 U17 World Champion Ali Ahmadi Vafa (IRI) but the first-period par terre kicked off a sequence that put the Californian in an early hole out of which he could not quite dig. Ahmadi Vafa received the first passivity point and his lock from top par terre resulted in two successive guts and a 5-0 lead. Later in the period, an arm throw attempt from Ahmadi Vafa was briefly blocked by Cortez before the Iranian stayed with the technique and scrambled behind for two points. Just before the break and down 7-0, Cortez caught Ahmadi Vafa and put him in danger with a body attack for two points. The deficit then stood at five, a doable amount considering Cortez’s penchant for drumming up offense.
Shortly into the second, Ahmadi Vafa needed a ketchup time-out. Once action resumed, Cortez diligently worked in the ties and increased his pressure. Still, scoring windows were hard to discern. Passivity eventually entered the equation on Cortez’s behalf. The American locked around and then onto Ahmadi Vafa’s wrists in an effort to negotiate a turn. Alas, there was no follow-up score to be had and a reset was ordered. Ahamdi Vafa converted on a takedown to go up 9-3 with a minute remaining. Cortez held firm on bottom and got to his feet for the race to the finish. He still had some steam to burn and tried mustering into position as precious seconds ran off the clock. With the buzzer about to sound, Cortez unleashed a desperation throw attempt — but Ahamadi Vafa adjusted for the land-on-top and two points. Cortez had went the distance, though the final score translated to a technical fall victory for the Iranian.
In his first U20 Worlds appearance, silver medalist Cortez won four matches (three of which by three points or less) with technical superiority triumph (9-0 in the semifinal over Aibek Aitbekov of Kazakhstan).
Black had his moments in the early-going as he stood toe-to-toe with Russian Erzu Zakriev (AIN), and the duo traded paint in the ties with equal assertiveness, so much so that the action quickly betrayed a brawling portrait. Black was more fluid, however, whereas Zakriev to start observed a linear methodology. A contrast in styles, and one that saw Black nearly whip a throw-by at the edge only to land just in front of Zakriev off the line. Black had the motion, but it was Zakriev who had the position and one step-out point along with it.
Still in the first period, Black got hung up from underneath Zakriev before surrendering a takedown and correct throw to make the score 5-0. Another step-out point expanded the margin to 6-0. One more restart was on the table before Zakriev worked behind Black to score the match-clinching takedown, sending the gifted Colorado wrestler home with silver.
A sparkling showing it was for Black, who on Monday won three matches against top-quality opposition en-route to Tuesday’s final. In order, Black downed Dejan Berkec (SRB), Enes Uklu (TUR), and Armenian Yurik Hoveyan.
Attao’s BIG Day
Perhaps it might sound like a reach to suggest that Attao — a current US Senior National Team member and, as mentioned, a World bronze from this tournament two years ago — had the deck stacked against him. After all, top athletes are by and large expected to perform at a level commensurate with their perceived status. Although Attao is still only 19 years of age, such is the distinction to which he is attached. That’s the hat and he has to wear it.
But just prior to the start of this U20 World Championships, Attao endured an injury to his right arm that was severe enough to call into question his competitive availability. After several conversations with coaches and various medical personnel alike, he chose to nevertheless give it his best shot. An uncharacteristically lopsided loss on Monday (to eventual champ Darabos) may have incited some doubts regarding the viability of this decision.
Except — Attao clearly did not doubt himself.
To show his appreciation for a new life in the repechage round, Attao bounded onto the mat Tuesday morning with renewed vigor — and promptly disposed of Ethan Vergara (PUR). One of his patented arm spins kicked off the scoring, and Attao followed the multi-point score with a pair of turns to ice the proceedings at 8-0.
The win over Vergara put Attao one match away from the bronze round with relatively massive Cemal Bakir of Turkey standing across the circle.
The way this match ended was…unique. And the result of a loss of composure at a most inopportune time.
Attao, several inches shorter, shouldered into the ties and they were off and running. Initially, Bakir seized command of the center until his counterpart began to find his footing. Bakir was keen to divvy around the fingers as Attao roped the arms in search of a handle. Nothing was doing and eventually the officials deemed Bakir to be passive. From top par terre, Attao wasted no time in clamping a front headlock. He cranked, hipped, and compressed Bakir’s head and arm in one direction — and then finished executing the maneuver over the top for two points. Up 3-0, Attao appeared to be getting into a groove but a takedown-gut combo from Bakir disrupted the momentum. There was no further scoring in the period and Turkiye owned a 4-3 lead heading into intermission.
When the second-period passivity arrived, it went to Bakir, but Attao could not be budged. Back standing, and there was no question which of the two combatants had more reserves upon which to call. Attao, down by a score of 5-3, feverishly and urgently pored into the arms and dug his feet into the tarp as he sought any and all potential vulnerabilities worth exploiting. He just would not stop generating pressure and the onus was on him to break Bakir. But time was of the essence and the Turk’s own positioning was solid enough to thwart most of the incoming fire. In one instance, it was obvious that Bakir was intent on interlocking the fingers, which is an enforceable guideline against “negative wrestling”. No call was forthcoming and so Attao had to keep trying to attack Bakir’s defenses.
Time was ticking away. :20 turned into :15, and then :15 into :10. Then :10 into :05. But at the very last second of the match, Bakir — in apparent frustration due to the relentless pressure from his opponent — headbutted Attao, with the blow causing the American to grab his mouth and take a few steps back. The clock read all zeroes but the US corner wanted the officials to review the infraction. They did — and Bakir was penalized two points for brutality. The caution points meant that the score had become 5-5 for Attao, who had earned his second trip to a U20 World bronze medal match in three appearances at the tournament.
Not that it was supposed to get any easier with Aleksandr Melekhov (AIN) waiting in the bronze round. Melekhov had dominated in his first two matches on Monday and was defeated by Darabos 3-1. He also owned a 3-0 lead on Attao within the first :90 of their match thanks to two step-outs and a passive. Melekhov tried to gain traction with his lock from top par terre but Attao defended from bottom in clutch fashion. After the reset, the crashing started. Both big men collided into one another. Any pretense of gaming the hand-fight or flinging on and off the wrists had evaporated. Melekhov wanted to make something happen with a bodylock attempt, but Attao easily snuffed it out and they restarted for more controlled violence.
The action slowed only a little, for Melekhov, and then Attao, met in an over/under position. First, it was Melekhov who initiated the hold, then it was Attao. Both were feeling for where their feet needed to be. Melekhov went to engage and load — but the moment he demonstrated even the barest hint of a desire to do so, Attao set his own bodylock and beautifully completed the throw to put Melekhov on his back. No escape routes were available. Attao held position and the referee called the pin seconds later. In the aftermath of the post-match formalities, Attao celebrated by bodylocking USA coach Robby Smith much to the delight of the crowd in attendance.
Rix-McElhinney
Rix-McElhinney may not be going home with a medal but he certainly had a nice bounce-back effort in the first repechage round on Tuesday morning. He stalked Jixin Yu (CHN) from the outset and crisp movement could be discerned in his approach to the hand-fight, in which Yu was also an interested participant. The opening frame’s passivity/par terre chance went to Rix-McElhinney with a lift attempt serving as his means for offense, though Yu defended adequately to get a reset. A throw attempt from China at the edge later in the period looked to provide Rix-McElhinney with some flexibility on the board but points were not awarded and the score stayed at 1-0 USA entering the second period.
Yu struck back with a well-timed counter-throw to take a temporary 2-1 lead. After the next restart, he tried the same thing again, only this time Rix-McElhinney was ready with a land-on-top near the boundary. The action initially awarded two points for USA; but a successful challenge from China altered the score to 2-2 with criteria going to Yu — who shortly thereafter added a step-out to assume an outright 3-2 advantage.
To his credit, Yu was not content to defend and deflect. Instead, he stayed active and tried unfurling an arm spin. Rix-McElhinney saw it the whole way and crashed behind for two points for what was the second lead change of the bout. There would not be another. Yu upped his intensity as time worked against him, and a last-gasp leap on his part was met by Rix-McElhinney simply going with the attempt and landing on top for four points at the whistle with the final score reading 8-3.
The ride for Rix-McElhinney ended in the second repechage round as Karl Baff of Sweden downed the University of Northern Colorado wrestler via technical fall. Rix-McElhinney — who competed well on the Senior level this past season — finishes his first World event with a record of 1-2.
Day 2
The United States’ putting two in the finals plus two more in the Day 2’s repechage round obscured the fact that five other promising wrestlers might also join in the hunt for World hardware. With ’21 U17 World silver Cory Land (60 kg, Ironclad) and ’22 U17 World champ Joel Adams (67 kg, TBW) leading the charge, optimism surrounded the Americans’ chances for even more athletes potentially reaching the podium. But for this age-level, no tougher tournament exists and all five were eliminated from medal contention before the day was through.
Land put together a sterling and impressive effort in the qualification round against Ilias Zairakis (GRE). He had received the first passivity/par terre opportunity and turned Zairakis twice for a 5-0 lead and tacked on another point via step-out. He wasn’t done. Land’s desire to execute body attacks knocked Zairakis off the line one more time in the first period and then again early in the second to secure the 8-0 stoppage.
One round hence, Land started off by hitting a four-point arm throw against Papik Dzhavadian (AIN), though Dzhavadian grabbed two back from exposure upon impact. Back on the feet, and both were testing one another in the trenches, and both made for excellent dance partners. Each time one would gobble up ground on the tarp or come close to opening a crease from which to advance a hold, the other would answer in kind. No passivity call disrupted the action and the score remained 4-2 for Land when the period reached its conclusion.
Dzhavadian was able to pick up a step-out point as the second stanza got underway, and he collected a takedown following the proceeding reset to inch ahead 5-4. One more scoring sequence unfolded, as well. Dzhavadian had pressured Land, whose back was to the line; in response, Land attempted a counter-throw but Dzhavadian landed on top and the officials scored it as a four-pointer. But — the US challenged, the call was reviewed, and Dzhavadian was instead given only one point. Trailing 6-4, Land did not lack for stamina nor gameness as he insistently pursued possible scoring entries. Dzhavadian maintained stout positioning, for the most part, through the remainder and kept the American at bay until the last whistle sounded. When Dzhavadian lost in the next round to Yunlong Hu (CHN), it meant that Land would not get another chance in the repechage.
It was a gritty showing for Adams, who did all he could to overcome an early deficit against Imed Khudzhadze (UKR). Most of the issue stemmed from what the officials saw as a leg foul. Khudzhadze got on top first and attempted a lift and Adams was penalized for two points. When they reset in par terre, Khudzhadze achieved virtually the same lock and finished the maneuver off the tarp for two more points. After the action was completed, Adams’ left knee — which had landed on the covered wood platform — briefly curtailed his return to center as he required medical attention prior to the match resuming. Passivity went to the American in the second period but Khudzhadze defended the lock. As time wore on, the Ukrainian’s pace notably slowed other than to ward off Adams in the pummel. There would not be another score, nor would Khudzhadze be appropriately warned for inaction. At the end of the contest, Khudzhadze — who had the match sealed at 5-1 — stepped out of bounds to give Adams an otherwise meaningless point in what became a 5-2 decision. Khudzhadze was edged by Yussuf Ashrapov (KAZ) to dash Adams’ hopes for a medal in ’24.
Brackett, Khosravy, & Herzog
Patrick Brackett (72 kg, Mile High WC) was on the wrong end of a uniquely unfortuitous turn of events in his qualification round affair with Hubert Sidoruk (POL). Sidoruk had laced an inverted arm throw variation and subsequently locked for a reverse lift; as he did, Brackett defended by locking his own arms around Sidoruk whilst being hoisted, which is not an uncommon tactic. But when Sidoruk was able to execute the technique, Brackett was caught on his back and in clear danger. He tried to avoid being pinned but the signal for the fall arrived soon after impact. Sidoruk was cut down by Hajime Kikuta (JPN) in the following round.
Arian Khosravy (82 kg, CA) brought the heat against Jesper Haerkaenen (FIN) and prevailed 3-0 on the strength of two passivity points and a step-out. Khosravy was on Haerkaenen the entire time, but was negated from completing a multi-point score. His tempo, however, was enough to keep Haerkaenen either reacting or retreating, hence the contest’s outcome. Japan’s Taizo Yoshida decisioned Khosravy in the next round, and Yoshida was defeated by eventual finalist Alperen Berber (TUR) to eliminate the Californian from tomorrow’s repechage.
Soren Herzog (97 kg, Air Force RTC) did not have a chance to get out of first gear opposed by Bekzhan Zhumabekov (KGZ). Zhumabekov executed a throw for four and converted a pair of follow-up gutwrenches to walk away the 8-0 winner. Ahmet Eremekter (TUR) defeated Zhumabekov in the quarterfinal to keep Herzog out of the repechage round on Wednesday.
2024 U20 World Championship Notes
— With the repechage and medal rounds for the Day 2 weight categories still to be contested, the US currently sits in 2nd place with 59 points. Iran is in 1st with 85 points. Kyrgyzstan is in 3rd with 50 and Georgia occupies the 4th spot with 46. Because the USA roster no longer has athletes in the running on Wednesday, the likelihood is that they will be passed by several teams.
— The United States departs from the U20 World Championships with three medalists for the first time since ’19 — when Cohlton Schultz (130 kg, Sunkist) earned silver and both Alston Nutter (67 kg, Army/WCAP) and Peyton Omania (67 kg, OCRTC) came away with bronze.
— Dating back to ’16, the US has now had multiple Junior (U20) World medalists five times: (’16, two bronze; ’17, one gold and one silver; ’18, one silver and one bronze; ’19, one silver and two bronze; and ’24, two silver and one bronze).
— The US has also now had at least one U20 World medalist in six of the past eight years.
— Team USA finishes the ’24 U20 Worlds with a combined individual record of 13-11 (three technical falls, one pin, and nine decisions).
2024 U20 World Championships
September 2-4 — Pontevedra, Spain
TEAM USA FULL RESULTS
55 kg: Isaiah Cortez (Daniel Cormier WC) — SILVER
WON Anil Mor (IND) 9-8
WON Peter Totok (HUN) 7-4
WON Maxim Sarmanov (MDA) 9-6
WON Aibek Aitbekov (KAZ) 9-0, TF
LOSS Ali Ahmadi Vafa (IRI) 11-3, TF
60 kg: Cory Land (Ironclad WC)
WON Ilias Zairakis (GRE) 8-0, TF
LOSS Papik Dzhavadian (AIN) 6-4
63 kg: Otto Black (CTT) — SILVER
WON Dejan Berkec (SRB) 5-1
WON Enes Ulku (TUR) 7-6
WON Yurik Hoveyan (ARM) 7-2
LOSS Ezru Zakriev (AIN) 8-0, TF
67 kg: Joel Adams (TBW)
LOSS Imed Khudzhadze (UKR) 5-2
72 kg: Patrick Brackett (Mile High WC)
LOSS Hubert Sidoruk (POL) via fall
77 kg: Aydin Rix-McElhinney (Northern Colorado WC) — 9th
LOSS Alireza Abdevali (IRI) 7-3
WON Jixin Yu (CHN) 8-3
LOSS Karl Baff (SWE) 9-0, TF
82 kg: Arian Khosravy (CA)
WON Jesper Haerkaenen (FIN) 3-0
LOSS Taizo Yoshida (JPN) 8-1
87 kg: Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio RTC)
LOSS Patrik Gordan (ROU) 8-0, TF
97 kg: Soren Herzog (Air Force RTC)
LOSS Bekzhan Zhumabekov (KGZ) 8-0, TF
130 kg: Aden Attao (NYAC/Beaver Dam RTC) — BRONZE
LOSS Laszlo Darabos (HUN) 9-0, TF
WON Ethan Vergara (PUR) 8-0, TF
WON Cemal Bakir (TUR) 5-5 (criteria)
WON Aleksandr Melekhov (AIN) via fall
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