Zahid Valencia gets his hand raised after beating Alex Dieringer to win the Matteo Pellicone (Photo/Kadir Caliskan, United World Wrestling)The Matteo Pellicone more than lived up to the hype.
The important rankings event for United World Wrestling figured to be loaded with top-flight competition as we move closer to the 2020 Olympic Games.
And it was.
The powerful United States men's freestyle team had an excellent showing with six wrestlers reaching the finals in Rome, Italy. Three Americans won gold Saturday on the final day of the tournament.
Here are my top takeaways from the competition at the event:
Got doubles? Another Jordan does
American legend Jordan Burroughs isn't the only wrestler named Jordan with a lethal double leg takedown arsenal. Jordan Oliver put on an impressive double leg display in Rome. Oliver has looked very dominant this season. The past Junior world medalist still hasn't broken through at the Senior level, but this may be his year. Oliver took an early finals lead before dropping a hard-fought match to three-time world medalist Bajrang of India. Even with the setback, Oliver had a tremendous tournament and he is wrestling at a very high level. He is definitely capable of winning an Olympic medal in Tokyo. He's that good. Before that happens, the United States still has to qualify the 65-kilogram weight class for the Olympic Games.
The battle is on at 57 kilograms
The wide-open battle everyone expected at 57 kilograms is already providing its share of exciting matches and compelling storylines. 2017 world silver medalist Thomas Gilman edged 2019 world teamer Daton Fix 2-1 in the semifinals before earning a gritty 4-3 triumph over 2018 world bronze medalist Joe Colon in the finals. This weight class also features age-group world champ Spencer Lee, who looked outstanding in winning the U.S. Senior Nationals last month. This is another weight that needs to be qualified for the Olympics.
Kyle Dake gets in on a shot against Turkey's Soner Demirtas (Photo/Kadir Caliskan, United World Wrestling)Dake down a weight, looking great
Two-time world champion Kyle Dake has dropped down to 74 kilograms for the first time since 2017 and he looked fantastic in Italy. He's the master at staying in excellent position and wrestled with so much poise and composure. He's also very strong and extremely tough to score on. And he's explosive as he proved in earning a 35-second technical superiority finals win. It's going to be an epic battle between Dake and Jordan Burroughs for the Olympic spot.
What's up with Snyder?
Kyle Snyder is still wrestling at a high level, but his loss by fall to world bronze medalist Mohammad Mohammadian of Iran has raised a few questions. Snyder, now training at Penn State, won silver and bronze at the World Championships the past two years after winning three straight golds. He's still an excellent wrestler, but are other wrestlers figuring out his style or has he faded a bit? I definitely wouldn't count Snyder out at 97 kilograms in 2020.
Zahid and Ringer
The 86-kilogram class is also intriguing with 2018 world champion David Taylor still the favorite. But young studs Zahid Valencia and Alex Dieringer are looking strong as well. Valencia beat a world silver medalist en route to the Pellicone finals and Dieringer beat 2019 world teamer Pat Downey. Valencia, a senior at Arizona State, came out strong before holding off Dieringer in the finals. Downey came back to earn bronze in Rome. This is another weight class that still needs to be qualified for Tokyo.
Mensah-Stock will be back
Reigning world champion Tamyra Mensah-Stock was cruising toward a win over two-time world medalist Feng Zhou of China before disaster struck. Mensah-Stock led 8-0 before being taken down and turned three times. The match ended 8-8 and she lost on criteria. Mensah-Stock is still young and she will learn from this loss. She's an incredible wrestler who is still the favorite to win Olympic gold. She will bounce back.
Sarah's move to 50 kilograms
World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt has dropped down to 50 kilos after previously wrestling at 53 kilograms. Hildebrandt looked superb in Italy, winning a tough class that included world fifth-place finisher Victoria Anthony of the USA. The 50-kilogram weight still needs to be qualified for the Olympics.
Greco grabs medals
The USA Greco-Roman team won a pair of medals in Rome, but the Americans still have plenty of work to do. The Greco team still needs to qualify all six weight classes for Tokyo. It's a realistic goal, but it won't be easy. The Americans have their share of capable athletes.
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