Jack Davis gave it his best shot but in the end, he came up just short.
Davis, competing in the 58 kg class at the 2016 Cadet World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, earned the chance to fight for a bronze medal thanks to two inspiring back-to-back wins. He first got past Anton Rosen (SWE) 7-7 via criteria ahead of dominating Aleksander Mielewczyk (POL) to the tune of a 1:27 fall. Davis lost in the semifinals to Mohammad Mokhtari (IRI) 10-2, which set up the American’s placement in the medal round.
His opponent, Erbol Bakirov (KGZ), took advantage of an early opening and never let up. Davis initially looked close to getting around Bakirov, but wound up giving up position and conceded the takedown. Bakirov then gutted Davis over for two more and climbed out to a 4-0 lead. The American, relentless in his pursuit, got into Bakirov at the edge to pick up a step-out point. 4-1, Bakirov. Another takedown and turn increased Bakirov’s lead to 8-1 and there was still plenty of wrestling left.
Davis took the initiative in the second period, repeatedly going after his foe. There were times where it seemed like he close to getting in on something, but Bakirov quickly negated any offensive maneuvers. Davis did lasso on a front headlock that he pulled up on tightly, bloodying Bakirov’s nose in the process. But that would be the only damage inflicted for the US side. Though he fought to the end, Davis falls 8-1 and officially finishes in fifth place.
Tomorrow, the remaining five US Cadets will compete on the second day of the 2016 Cadet World Championships. Each athlete has already received his draw as Team USA looks to regroup and try to put a medalist on the podium once again.
2016 Cadet World Championships – Greco Roman Day 2 US Draws
42kg
Andrew Chambal (MI) vs. Vladislav Kuzko (UKR)
46 kg
Mosha Schwartz (CO) vs. Ashot Mkhitaryan (ARM)
69 kg
Max Wohlabaugh (FL) vs. Yasin Turan (TUR)
76 kg
Clay Lautt (KS) vs. Teodor Domozinov (BUL)
86 kg
Brandon Whitman (MI) vs. Hakob Baghdasaryan (ARM)
We will have live coverage of the event beginning at 2am EST on Twitter and Facebook along with post-round summaries. The tournament streams live on FLO (pro account necessary).
