Jacobson Wins a Repechage Match but Comes Up Short of a Medal

The final member of the US Greco-Roman team was in action on Sunday -  the last day of the 2025 Senior World Championships. Payton Jacobson picked up a win in repechage, but was defeated in his second bout, and was eliminated a match shy of competing in a bronze medal contest at 87 kg. 

Jacobson’s first opponent of the day was Japan’s Soh Sakabe. Sakabe got on the board first with a point for passivity on Jacobson. Sakabe had the favorable position on top in par terre, but wasn’t able to capitalize. In fact, it was Jacobson who stepped over a gut wrench attempt and caught Sakabe on his back for a 2-1 lead. After nearly getting the fall, Jacobson got a body lock and picked Sakabe to his feet and tossed him for four points. 

In the second period, Jacobson was given a point for passivity on Sakabe and allowed to work from par terre. He couldn’t score, but was able to get a takedown after the restart when Sakabe reached for his head and the American ducked under for two points. That put the match into tech status for Jacobson, 9-1. 

Jacobson’s second repechage match saw him take on Kazakhstan’s Islam Yevloyev. Jacobson’s point for passivity accounted for the only score in the opening stanza. In the second period, Yevloyev got a passivity point and was able to add four points with a body lock and throw. That accounted for all the scoring that the Kazakh wrestler would need in a 5-1 victory. 

With Jacobson’s elimination, it marked the end of the Greco-Roman tournament for the American contingent. They were unable to claim a medal at any of the 10 weights.