Patterns often develop when deciphering the top USA Greco-Roman matches of a given year. For example, in 2022 it was wins via fall. Pins in Greco-Roman are not what you might define as uncommon (especially in age-group competition), but how they happen (as well as where and against whom) can ring with added significance. Other years have featured more of an emphasis on outcomes with high scores, while some annual lists have been more of a mixed bag.
Additional influences also play a factor. This past season was an “Olympic Year”, which automatically raised the stakes for certain athletes. Competitive scenarios do matter, after all, and the failure to observe the various perceived intangibles which run in concert with such concerns is irresponsible. A low-scoring NHL game during the regular season can be exciting for hardcore fans; but a tight game in the playoffs puts even more people on the edge of their seats. The same principle applies in this sport. Everyone recognizes consequence and the tension that accompanies it with regards to a potential result.
For ’24, several themes pertaining to this list can be witnessed but most prominent among them is “comebacks”. Six of the ten bouts involved an American athlete who was trailing his opponent before snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. These matches were not selected based solely on that fact, but it helped. Other matches, as you will see, were chosen for a combination of reasons, and hopefully those invested enough to read their descriptions will understand why. If not, just try to enjoy the ride and continue to support our athletes.
Selection Criteria
1. Excitement/adrenaline
Matches featuring grand executions, thrilling maneuvers, and wild point exchanges fit this description; so too can bouts in which points are scarce. How a match was contested between the athletes is often as memorable as the outcome.
2. Perceived significance
Matches are selected via numerous avenues, with the second listed criteria perhaps a critical factor. “Perceived significance” intends to suggest that a tournament is one of recognized esteem, such as at a US Open, selection process event, or World-level competition. Though the phrasing is admittedly malleable (for a defining moment can occur during any round of any tournament in the eyes of participants and their coaches), it is widely understood among the greater wrestling community what does, and does not, meet this criteria.
Note: not all tournaments are streamed or broadcast. A previous factor determining eligibility for this list stipulated that all selected matches must be available for users to view online for free. With more and more events becoming subjected to paid platforms (and “paywalls” in general), including only those matches which meet this guideline has become too limiting for this presentation of content.
Previous Top 10 USA Greco Match Lists
— 2022
— 2021
— 2020
— 2019
— 2018 (Part I)
— 2018 (Part II)
— 2017
— 2016
2024 – Top 10 USA Greco-Roman Matches
10. Payton Jacobson (NMU/NTS) def. Arkadiusz Kulynycz (POL) 1-1 — Rd. 3 — Thor Masters (Nykobing Falster, DEN)
The setting, the circumstances, equate to why Jacobson’s narrow victory over Kulynycz was both noteworthy at the time and also an eventual candidate to make this list. March’s running of Thor Masters acted as Jacobson’s declaration to bump up to 87 kg from 77 for the Olympic Trials. His showing also served notice that, for those who were paying attention, he would be a major threat to make the Olympic Team. At Thor Masters, Jacobson actually lost his first bout, a criteria decision to Vjekoslav Luburic (CRO). He then defeated fellow American Lukas Poloncic (Minnesota Storm) before meeting up with ’21 World bronze Kulynycz, whose punishing style is not unlike Jacobson’s.
However, the Polish wrestler hardly had room to breathe. Jacobson might not have been able to open up offensively, but he sure dictated where and how the dynamics of the match would unfold. Kulynycz found frustration in trying to clap back at Jacobson in the ties and came up wanting each time.
A similar scene was availed in the next round as Jacobson gave ’23 Euro gold/’22 U23 World champ Istvan Takacs of Hungary all he could handle in what became a 5-3 loss. Though Jacobson’s entire run in Denmark likely turned the heads of his 87 kg contemporaries in the US, the nod over Kulynycz demonstrated first just how high of a level on which he would soon be operating.
9. Aliaksandr Kikiniou (CA) def. Peyton Robb (Nebraska Wrestling TC) 10-9 — 72 kg quarterfinal — Bill Farrell Memorial (NYC)
To be clear, there were two matches at the Bill Farrell Memorial this past November between Kikiniou (son of the ’24 World Team member/’09 World bronze) and Robb, and both were outstanding. Their first bout delivered more scoring (a combined 19 points compared to just 5 in the second contest), and by extension more action, hence why it made the cut.
Robb might have thought that he was in for a breezy day at the office once the match got underway because he managed a reach-around takedown and follow-up gut within the first :30. But after they returned standing, Kikiniou laced a two-point headlock. Later in the opening period, the youngster caught Robb with an inverted arm attempt to pick up four, and then Robb answered back with a reversal. Early in the second, Robb was bearing down on Kikiniou towards the boundary and earned two from a land-on-top. That made the score 7-6 for Robb but there was still plenty of time remaining. With under a minute to go, Kikiniou struck with a four-point arm attack — and as soon as Robb bounded back to his feet, he got behind for another takedown. The scoreboard read 10-9 for Kikiniou as the clock hit all zeroes, and he had himself a very impressive win over a top-flight legit Senior.
When they met again for bronze later that evening, Robb, trailing on criteria 2-2, picked up a clutch step-out point and walked away the 3-2 winner. This match was nearly as entertaining as their first one, but not quite. Nevertheless, these are two obvious talents whose best days are well in front of them and their time together in New York was one of the highlights of the autumn.
8. Ellis Coleman (Army/WCAP) def. Aliaksandr Liavonchyk (AIN/BLR) 1-1 — 67 kg qualification round — World OG Qualifier (Istanbul, TUR)
Implications often play a role in determining how matches make this annual list (see #10, Jacobson). These implications are almost always short-term, such as how a big semifinal win meant that the athlete discussed had advanced to the final of a relevant tournament along with how they might perform in the near future. Sometimes, of course, a match can speak to relatively longer-term implications, as well as catalyze a reflective posture with regards to the special kind of stuff that resides within the will and heartbeat of said athlete.
Which is why Coleman’s lone victory at the World Olympic Qualifier in May is being featured.
When Coleman arrived in Turkey for the World OG Qualifier, he was fresh off of winning the Olympic Trials after having endured a two-year hiatus (though his initial return had come at the Armed Forces Championships in February) and had not competed in an international tournament since the fall of ’19. Of course, the last Olympic qualifying event was not just any old overseas excursion. Each bracket was packed with obstacles and Coleman himself had to contend in the opening round with U23 World silver Aliaksandr Liavonchyk (AIN/BLR) — who was projected to be a major Senior force prior to the various sanctions heaped upon the Russian and Belarusian programs. In short, Liavonchyk was seen as a sizable problem for Coleman to navigate due to the American’s rust and absence from the foreign landscape. All of this on top of trying to qualify the weight class.
Naturally, Coleman stepped up like a pro’s pro and expertly handled Liavonchyk in the ties, which was no easy task. The Belarusian did see some success in the first period by jousting into underhooks; but, each time, Coleman pummeled back into more amenable positions whilst keeping his feet moving. And when Liavonchyk received the passivity/par terre shot, Coleman defended the lock with nary an issue before walking back to the corner behind by a paltry score of 1-0. In the second period, Liavonchyk was slowing whereas Coleman had begun to gather steam. His movements became sharper and faster, and his physicality increased, as well. Then Liavonchyk was knocked for passive to provide Coleman with a criteria lead. Other than a brief skirmish near the boundary that nearly introduced another point, the action was limited as the match ebbed towards its conclusion.
The World OG Qualifier did not end for Coleman how he would have preferred. In the following round, Andreas Vetsch (SUI) surprised the multi-time US World Teamer to win a decision which eventually led to Coleman’s elimination from the tournament. It also meant that the US would not have a 67 kg representative for the Paris Olympics. But the notion that Coleman should have hung his head over this result is ludicrous. He had stamped down one important win after another just to make the Team at the Olympic Trials (with his match against teammate Xavier Johnson in that tournament also a “match of the year” candidate”) and he answered the bell again when faced with a strong and capable opponent like Liavonchyk in the opening round of the Olympic qualifier. What this win did, more than anything else, is remind people of just how mentally-tough and skilled Coleman still is — and this latter stage of his career, can still be going forward.
7. Jayden Raney (IRTC) def. Alpamys Bolatuly (KAZ) 7-5 — 55 kg — Final — U17 World Championships (Amman, JOR)
Young Jayden Raney had by and large thumped his way to the U17 World final, and similar in style to his twin brother Jordyn, who had won it all the year prior. And it sure seemed as though Raney’s otherwise dominating run in Jordan would end just as how it began. He had Bolatuly on the ropes early thanks to an uncanny blend of keen wrestling instincts and reaction speed. Raney wrapped Bolatuly in high underhooks, only to have the Kazakh wrestler try and counter with a body attack — to which Raney responded by re-countering to gain exposure points. He then scored on a gutwrench and followed with a folkstyle arm-bar, of all things, to take a first-period 6-0 lead.
The curtain appeared to be dropping. But Bolatuly struck back on the strength of a pair of attacks to cut his deficit to a single point. Kazakhstan wanted more from the sequence and challenged the scoring. The call was upheld, and Raney’s lead became 7-5. Still, the prospect of a late score from Bolatuly loomed large with time a factor, resulting in appropriate tension. Raney did not betray any timidity or concern whatsoever in light of the circumstances. Rather, he kept in command until the whistle, thus joining brother Jordyn as U17 World champs while also, certainly, having injected a special touch into his own achievement.
6. Benji Peak (Combat WC) def. Mohamadreza Geraei (IRI) 11-3, TF — 72 kg qualification round — World Championships (Tirana, ALB)
“Mr. Fantastic” left Albania disappointed. In his second Senior World appearance, Peak, back at 72 kg after the Olympic Year, was convinced that he had what it took to come home with a medal. He did not this time. One win, one loss, and he was out of the tournament. But he was not proven wrong, either. If anything, Peak had gathered additional compelling evidence that he was indeed on the right track thanks to his victory (by way of technical fall) over Olympic/World champ Geraei.
Despite the eventual one-sided outcome, Peak absolutely required keeping his wits about him the entire time, and especially after surrendering an early takedown. Down 2-0, the NMU grad started gaining momentum with his own takedown, which he coupled with a lift attempt that yielded correct hold points. Iran challenged that sequence and upon review Geraei was penalized for a leg-foul caution. Peak owned a 6-3 lead in the second period and scored twice more to put Geraei on ice. The US supporters in attendance about lost their minds when the match was stopped, and it was easy to see why. On the other hand, Peak’s triumph at Geraei’s expense also delivered a critical message that deserves adequate enunciation. The draws are not what’s important. Rather, it is the attitude and readiness of the athlete that makes all the difference.
5. Kamal Bey (Army/WCAP) def. Iuri Lomadze (GEO) 5-4 — 77 kg bronze round — World OG Qualifier (Istanbul, TUR)
A thriller if there ever were one. Bey and two-time European Championships medalist Lomadze represented the type of pairing that legit fans would want to see as the main event of a bout card. Two innovative, explosive scorers who demand the attention of those in attendance and everyone watching at home. But there was also something else tied into the whole thing: it was the bronze round of the World Olympic Qualifier, with the winner moving onto the “true 3rd” match. Bey had already performed brilliantly. After dropping his first match of the event to Sergey Kutuzov (AIN/RUS), he decimated Timur Berdiev (AIN/BLR) and decisioned tough Albin Olofsson (SWE) under immense pressure.
But that pressure was only ramped up for the showdown with Lomadze. Sure enough, the Georgian benefited from the first passivity and soon tried to wrangle Bey up for a lift, Lomadze’s go-to scoring maneuver. Bey did what he does better than everyone in the sport, which is to say he adjusted in an instant, contorted, and turned the tables. He had landed directly on Lomadze upon impact, as well. So much so that Bey was essentially sitting on Lomadze’s chest. And when that position reached maturation, Bey looked for his own lift — and Lomadze was hit for a caution-and-two. It was 5-1 entering Period 2, but Bey was not in the clear. He was deemed passive once again, for whatever reason, though he defended Lomadze’s lock for a second time. As the match wore on, things were looking promising for the US corner. But with :30 to go, Lomadze torqued a bodylock and put Bey on his back. It was jolting.
Bey bit down and fought like all-get-out to avoid being pinned. This lasted virtually through the remainder of the contest. The concern then was the scoring. Lomadze had been awarded two for the action, his corner instead wanted four, and, much to the delight of the US side, the call was not going to change. Everyone needed a breather. The Georgians were exasperated, the Americans were ecstatic, and the referee raised Bey’s hand in the aftermath of what was, for sure, a heart-pounding match from beginning to end.
4. Beka Melelashvili (NYAC) def. Elmin Aliyev (AZE) 3-3 — 82 kg semifinal — U23 World Championships (Tirana, ALB)
It had been a long, hard road for the United States at the U23 World Championships since the tournament’s inception in ’17. Loaded roster after loaded roster, all of which were filled with top prospects and established Seniors alike, and yet each and every year the event brought Team USA nothing but despondence. The closest thing to a breakthrough for the Americans at the U23 Worlds had been Taylor LaMont, who had dropped down to 55 kg, participating in the bronze round during the ’21 edition of the tournament.
The US program was puzzled. Each U23 Team, from the beginning, included terrific athletes who were fitfully experienced and deemed medal candidates. But none of them (except for LaMont) had come within a hair’s breadth of reaching the podium. A confounding, frustrating issue.
That all changed in ’24 and it was Melelashvili who served as the ceiling-breaker.
The native of Georgia (who had actually placed 5th at U23 in ’22) went on a searing run in Tirana that started with a VSU over Daniel Bello Vega (VEN) in the qualification round and continued with an exciting throwdown against Vadzim Paleyenka (AIN). The quarterfinal saw Melelashvili drum up a pair of step-outs along with another point from a missed challenge to thwart former countryman Dato Chkhaidze by a score of 5-2.
For however motivated Melelashvili felt entering the semifinal, there is little doubt that the US contingent, in its entirety, was 100% equally invested as a win in this round meant two things: that both Melelashvili and Team USA would be guaranteed a medal.
And it was not an easy endeavor. Elmin Aliyev (AZE) opened the scoring after Melelashvili over-committed to a front headlock attempt and the Azer covered for two points. Later in the frame, Aliev received the bout’s first passivity/par terre chance but Melelashvili defended well to earn a reset.
The deficit was 3-0 for Melelashvili upon the start of the second period. He exhibited more urgency and was able to move Aliyev in the ties enough to garner a passivity point — but, in all likelihood, he was going to need a score from par terre top. Swinging and missing in this situation risked firmly putting the match in the hands of Aliyev. A failure to score from top for Melelashvili would have demanded that he somehow find points on-the-feet. Not impossible, but also certainly not ideal, particularly because Aliyev would have likely gotten away with bogging down the ties through the rest of the period.
The whistle blew and Melelashvili sought his lock as Aliyev stretched and posted in defense. The US athlete stepped to lift amid the pair careening towards the line. Melelashvili used the motion to execute a crash gut at the boundary while Aliyev desperately tried to avoid exposure. Close. The mat official did not award two points, and at first glance it was difficult to discern whether or not exposure was indeed achieved. Melelashvili himself was convinced that he should get the call, and so the US corner tossed the challenge brick. After a prolonged review, Melelashvili was awarded two points for the action and held a 3-3 criteria lead by virtue of having the last score. Aliyev jumped on his horse from then on, hurriedly latching, leaping, and clawing to grab a handle. Melelashvili, to his credit, was just fine. By observing robust position and maintaining a sufficiently-active posture, he had no trouble deflecting the advances of his opponent en-route to the finish line.
Melelashvili would eventually fall in the U23 World final to Mohammad Naghousi (IRI) by a score of 4-3, thus ending up with silver. Though he would have embraced gold (and it was within his grasp), his loss in the final was not tethered to a sense of dejection. At least not for the USA Team. Melelashvili’s semifinal triumph against Aliyev was simply too big, too important, and too encouraging. The American program had been waiting for a piece U23 World hardware and Melelashvili will go in the books as the first athlete to give it to them.
3. Aden Attao (Beaver Dam RTC) def. Aleksandr Melekhov (AIN) via fall — 130 kg bronze round — U20 World Championships (Pontevedra, ESP)
Several contextual items to consider aside from the obviously-remarkable accomplishment of Attao ultimately earning his second U20 World bronze.
1. He entered the tournament with a significant injury in his right arm.
2. While no one, at all, felt that his first bronze (from ’22) deserved an asterisk, it also must be said that Russia was unable to send any representatives to that edition of the tournament.
3. Attao had actually lost in the very first round of the ’24 U20 Worlds and needed to go on an extended tear through repechage just to have a chance at a medal.
There is also the fact that in his second repechage bout, Attao was on the cusp of losing a heartbreaker to top Turkish prospect Cemal Bakir. Attao was trailing Bakir 5-3 with time running out but Bakir had made an enormous error at the very last moment of the match. He had become frustrated, apparently, by the American’s consistent, if not relentless pressure, and heabutted Attao. The officials levied a caution on Bakir, thus sending two points Attao’s way after the buzzer. One should not define such as an occurrence as anything other than an earned point, however. Attao kept pushing for a score, rightfully, and his opponent broke. It did not need to happen, it was completely avoidable, and this is why composure continues to be perhaps the most invaluable attribute an athlete can wield in big-time matches.
Another worthwhile trait is the ability, skill, and wherewithal to execute dynamic, multi-point attacks. This is how Attao prefers to do business and he had a willing dance partner in the form of Russian Aleksandr Melekhov with bronze hanging in the balance. Melekhov is the one who broke the ice in this affair by way of two step-outs and a passivity point. When they re-engaged following the reset, any and all pretense flew out the window. Both wrestlers began clashing in earnest, testing one another positionally and trying to see which of the two might commit to something big.
It did not take long for a static over/under opportunity to materialize. Melekhov locked, showing initiative; but before he could even fully entertain the thought of completing an execution, Attao was already prepared to load. In a crisp, picturesque display of equally beautiful and controlled violence, the Boise native bombed Melekhov straight to his back and that was effectively that. As soon as the bodylock landed, the idea of Melekhov finding a way to survive was hard to consider. Attao knew what he had, which was a pin that meant a second World bronze. Coming off of an Olympic Year that resulted in his making the US National Team and an active competitive campaign overall — plus with an injury that if endured earlier likely would have kept him out of the tournament altogether — there can be no doubt that Attao’s run in Pontevedera combined with how it ended delivered one of the top moments of 2024 for a United States Greco-Roman wrestler.
2. Spencer Woods (Army/WCAP) def. Daniel Gregorich Hechavarria (CUB) 6-3 — 87 kg semifinal — Pan-Am OG Qualifier (Acapulco, MEX)
The saying goes that “perception is reality”. So imagine being Woods, who is the furthest thing from a clueless individual. One one hand, he had to know that there would be doubts held by some pertaining to his effectiveness against the likes of two-time U23 World medalist Gregorich. On the other, Woods might have been ever-so-slightly confused by the notion that he couldn’t just figure out a way to grind out a win. And not just any “win”, mind you, but a win that was attached to the US gaining a precious Olympic quota in his weight category.
Perception was that Woods was in for, at the bare minimum least, a frustrating struggle that would inevitably conclude with Cuba triumphantly parading around the mat. Reality was that Woods was much more equipped and game than any detractors could hope to understand, with the result presenting one of the most adrenalizing USA victories of the year.
But there is a misunderstanding. When most reflect on the outcome of this match, they think of the crucial par terre sequence in the second period. Wrong. Woods defeated Gregorich due to several reasons, but the biggest one can be traced back to the first period.
Similar to other bouts on this list, the American athlete in this case did not get off to a roaring start. Early in the first, and with static already present between the two, Woods opted for a throw attempt with his back towards the boundary and Gregorich pseudo-countered to score a land-on-top two. The Cuban next locked for a gutwrench on the line, a reliable weapon of his to be sure, and Woods couldn’t be budged. Which was, in a word, significant. Midway through the stanza, Gregorich was given another par terre chance from a passive call on Woods. What transpired from this position is why the “Alaskan Assassin” won the match.
Gregorich settled his lock and went to roll — but when he did, Woods stepped over for two exposure points. It was still only the first period, but momentum had swung in the US’ direction. Woods both defended Gregorich from par terre bottom (and for a second time) and gathered two points.
Woods appeared to be the fresher wrestler entering the second period, though Gregorich still had the zeal to test his counterpart in the tie-ups. True to form, Woods insisted on pushing the tempo of the proceedings and the next passivity call arrived to his benefit. He also owned a criteria lead by now, not that he was willing to squander top par terre. Instead, Woods attempted to scoop Gregorich up into a reverse lift and eventually stepped to finish the hold, but Cuba reversed position on impact. Except — the officials had determined that Gregorich had committed a leg foul. Immediately, his corner wanted a challenge. The referees reviewed the sequence — and the call was upheld with Woods’ lead expanding to 6-3. The Team USA supporters in the arena began increasing their volume. Gregorich did not stop posing a threat, even if Woods was clearly nowhere close to fading away. All he had to do was stay engaged and mindful of the circumstances, and keep Gregorich honest whenever meaningful contact was achieved. This, too, was not a problem. Woods was not going to be stopped, and before long the US had their first Olympic quota secured at the Pan-Ams.
Bittersweet the memory might be for Woods. He had accomplished a critical objective for his country in addition to having earned for himself a bye to the Olympic Team Trials final. The 87 kg spot for Team USA at the Paris Olympics would end up going to Jacobson, who edged Woods following a three-round slugfest in State College. In no way does that diminish Woods’ remarkable performance and what it meant to the US program. At an event which saw the first three Americans all fall in surprising fashion, a big-time match was necessary to stem the tide and calm the seas. Woods provided just that sort of effect by coming up clutch in Acapulco.
1. Dalton Roberts (Army/WCAP) def. Giorgi Takhadze (GEO) 13-10 — 60 kg rd. 2 — Valamar Cup (Porec, CRO)
The blueprint. The standard. The verifiable “match of matches” for the United States in ’24, mainly because it involved the step-by-step systematic breaking of an outstanding international opponent courtesy of an American who just so happens to specialize in such matters. So noteworthy is this outcome that a full exploration of it remains in the 5PM pipeline for down the road, and will be categorized in the “Memorable Matches” section for the sake of posterity.
Perhaps the most ironic part is that this contest did not take place in (what is not yet) a marquee tournament. It did not occur at a World Championships, US Open, or Pan-Am event. Technically, this match didn’t even unfold in a medal round, although the win in fact did translate to a podium spot for the victor.
Two-time World Teamer Roberts was operating in the second round of the inaugural Valamar Cup in Croatia. His opponent, two-time U23 ’23 U23 World Champion Giorgi Tokhadze (GEO), was just the right type of wrestler to cause someone like Roberts fits. Tokhadze, aside from boasting exceptional skill in all phases of the sport, is a squat, stocky bulldog of a human who can score, explosively, in bunches. And that is precisely how this match began.
Roberts and Tokhadze were jostling near the edge when the latter wrapped a body attack to pick up four. After the reset, more points were on the way for the Georgian. He had gotten a line on an arm throw attempt that netted him two — and when Roberts quickly returned to his feet, Tokhadze was there to knock the Army rep out of bounds for another. It was 7-0 for Georgia inside of a minute. Following the step-out, Roberts sauntered back to the center and glanced at the scoreboard, shook his head, and prepared for the next whistle. “I just said to myself, Well, it’s time to get back to work“, he recalled later.
The man was one point away from being tech’ed but his mind was not on trying to avoid surrendering another score. Instead, Roberts — ever the pragmatist — focused only on making a dent on the board. That was his lone initial concern. He was not thinking about losing, but only about how he could score the next point. Inch by inch. But for Tokhadze, it was more like “inch by agonizing inch”.
The first notch was a step-out. Roberts had backed Tokhadze to the boundary and urged forth to collect the point. A reset, and soon thereafter Roberts had once again put Tokhadze on his heels with the Georgian landing on his stomach off the boundary. Roberts was now trailing 7-3. Another restart which saw Tokhadze lock to throw with Roberts countering to land on top was ruled a wash by the officials, but there was a revelation. Tokhadze was slow getting up. :56 remained in the period and he was beginning to wear evidence of fatigue. Not that he was done trying to win. Far from it. Tokhadze arched for another attack and Roberts lowered his level on the action to grab his second step-out point of the match. Tokhadze challenged, the call went unchanged, and the score stood at 7-5. Then a takedown from the Georgian just before intermission widened the margin to 9-5.
Roberts nabbed a point back soon into the second via step-out. He had found success by clamping two-on-ones and favoring Tokhadze’s right side. It was a sound position for Roberts as well in the first period, but Tokhadze was ready the next time and came close to a counter-score on the edge but for one problem: he had touched off the marker prior to covering Roberts. This updated the score to 9-7 and Roberts had his fourth step-out of the match. Another exchange on the heels of the reset had Roberts wrangle Tokhadze to the tarp, but he was off-balanced, and GEO showed some life by coaxing the American out of bounds. 10-7 for Tokhadze. It would be the last point that he scored.
Another restart and, again, Roberts used the two-on-one to drag Tokhadze and escort him to the edge for a takedown. 10-9. Tokhadze walked back to the center with his hands on his hips and there was no doubt that his tank was low. He was still good for an arm spin attempt but it was one that Roberts saw coming before scrambling up and out of the hold. Then, suddenly, Tokhadze was flagged for a caution with two points going to Roberts. The mat referee had previously warned Georgia to keep his head up, which was a lot to ask in a sense because Roberts was sporadically heavy up-top and using mini snaps that compelled Tokhadze to extend his arms. The call provided to Roberts his first lead of the match at 11-10. He had come all the way back from a 7-0 hole, yet he was not quite through.
With :38 to go, Roberts bullied Tokhadze to the boundary and underhooked for an attack that brought him two more points. The score was at 13-10. Tokhadze did not threaten the rest of the way, though he did headbutt Roberts, presumably due to feeling both exhausted and frustrated. Roberts responded by forcefully walking Tokhadze backwards as time expired. He needn’t do anything else. Nothing more to gain. Roberts had begun his march to get back into the match by patiently hunting for points. By the end of the affair, he had taken Tokhadze’s will to fight along with having recorded one of the most inspiring wins of his career thus far. Roberts officially finished with silver from the Valamar Cup and it was this match that clinched the medal. Few will remember that part of the story. While an international medal is never something to dismiss, it would not have made a difference. This match was still going to be #1 for ’24. (Roberts vs. Tokhadze can be viewed in its entirety below.)
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