Herbert wins silver medal and Dlagnev adds bronze medal in freestyle at World Championships on Tuesday
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by Craig Sesker
Jake Herbert battles Zaurbek Sokhiev in World Championships finals at 84 kg. Tony Rotundo photo.
HERNING, Denmark - Jake Herbert didn't care that he was competing in his first World Championships.
Herbert flew into Denmark with one purpose in mind.
Walking out of the MesseCenter Herning with a gold medal draped around his neck.
It nearly happened.
Herbert just missed out on his gold-medal goal, dropping a close 1-0, 1-0 decision to Zaurbek Sokhiev of Uzbekistan on Tuesday night in the freestyle finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. Herbert earns a silver medal.
"It stinks, having to stand on the podium with a silver medal. I came in here to win a gold medal and I believed I could do it," Herbert said. "Seeing that other guy's flag go up and hearing that other guy's anthem being played, and then seeing him get a World Championships belt, that gives me something to shoot for next year. I didn't know the champion got a belt. I want that belt."
Herbert was the aggressor most of the match as the powerful Sokhiev, a two-time World bronze medalist, blocked him off. Sokhiev won the first period on his only attack of the match, driving into Herbert and scoring a one-point pushout with just under a minute left.
"He caught me reaching," Herbert said. "He does that pull and push right to the double. He's explosive and drove into me and got the pushout. We knew he did that. I got in a flurry at the end, but they didn't give me a point for the throw."
Herbert came out aggressively in the second period, firing in on shots as Sokhiev continually blocked him off. After a scoreless period, they went to the ball draw. The red ball was drawn for Sokhiev and he quickly finished with Herbert's leg in the clinch to win the match.
"It was frustrating wrestling him because he kept down-blocking me and I couldn't get to his legs," Herbert said. "Guys know I'm relentless and I attack, attack, attack - they want to take me to the clinch. I got off about 15 attacks in the second period, but just couldn't get two hands to the leg and finish. I need to work on that. I need to get in and score."
Herbert, who competes for the New York Athletic Club, caps a superb year where he won his second NCAA title en route to capturing the Hodge Trophy. The Northwestern graduate also was named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year for all sports in 2009.
"If I would've won tonight, I would've been almost forced to retire because there is no way I could've had a better year," Herbert said with a laugh. "It was a great year and I want to keep building on that. We've got some good young wrestlers on this team who want to be World champions. We want to come into an event like this and win 6 or 7 medals. We want to be the best."
Herbert won four tough matches to reach the finals. All four wins came in matches that went the full three periods. He lost the first period in three of those bouts before rallying to come back.
"That's the USA endurance," Herbert said, flashing a smile. "I wrestled my best, and fought as hard as I could out there. I did everything I could to win this medal. Silver's not bad, don't get me wrong, but it's not what I came here to do."
U.S. heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev capped a superb tournament by sweeping Georiga's Alex Mobedadze 2-0, 2-0 in their bronze medal match at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
The athletic, lightning-quick Dlagnev powered in on a succession of single-leg attacks that resulted in takedowns.
"I've definitely come a long way," Dlagnev said. "I still have a long way to go. I obviously didn't get the color I wanted. It definitely was nice to get on the podium though."
Sixth in the NCAA Division II Championships just four years ago for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Dlagnev has made incredible progress in a short period of time.
"Watching Tervel wrestle and have success, that definitely helped me and pumped me up," Herbert said. "He's a great young wrestler, and it was great to see him wrestling well here."
Herbert will receive a $25,000 bonus from the Living the Dream Medal Fund for winning a silver medal while Dlagnev earns $15,000 for capturing a bronze medal.
Russia has clinched the team title with 53 points. Azerbaijan is second with 39. The U.S. has jumped up to sixth place with 19 points. Herbert scored 9 points and Dlagnev
Also winning titles on Tuesday were Besik Kudukhov of Russia (60 kg/132 lbs.) and Bilyal Makhov of Russia (120 kg/264.5 lbs.). It was the third title in six weight classes for Russia in freestyle.
Day 3 of the seven-day tournament will see three more U.S. wrestlers take the mat. Dustin Schlatter (74 kg/163 lbs.) will compete in freestyle while the women's freestyle tournament starts with Clarissa Chun (48 kg/105.5 lbs.) and Jessica Medina (51 kg/112.25 lbs.) ready to go.
Chun won a World title in 2008.
U.S. FREESTYLE RESULTS FROM TUESDAY'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC), DNP
LOSS Anatolie Guidea (Bulgaria), fall 1:20
84 kg/185 lbs. - Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC) - 2nd
WIN David Bichinashvili (Georgia), 1-2, 8-5, injury default
WIN Sharip Sharipov (Azerbaijan), 4-2, 0-4, 3-1
WIN Gokhan Yavaser (Turkey), 0-1, 5-3, 1-0
WIN Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia), 0-4, 2-2, 1-0
LOSS Zaurbek Sokhiev (Uzbekistan), 1-0, 1-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) - 3rd
WIN Juszup Nunajev (Hungary), 1-0, 2-0
WIN Alexei Shemarov (Belarus), 3-0, 2-0
WIN Ali Isayev (Iran), 1-0, 4-0
LOSS Fardin Masoumi (Iran), 1-0, 1-0
WIN Alex Modebadze (Georgia), 2-0, 2-0
Men's freestyle results
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
Silver -Zalimkhan Huseynov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze - Dilshod Mansurov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze - Vasyl Fedoryshin (Ukraine)
5th - Shogo Maeda (Japan)
5th - Sayed Mohammadi (Iran)
7th - Artur Arakelyan (Armenia)
8th - Maikel Perez Gonzales (Cuba)
9th - Bazar Bazarguruev (Kyrgyzstan)
10th - Anatolie Guidea (Bulgaria)
Gold - Kudukhov dec. Huseynov, 2-0, 4-0
Bronze - Mansurov dec. Maeda, 1-0, 2-4, 1-0
Bronze - Fedoryshin dec. Mohammadi, 1-0, 2-0
84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Zaurbek Sokhiev (Uzbekistan)
Silver - Jake Herbert (USA)
Bronze - Ibragim Aldatov (Ukraine)
Bronze -Sharif Sharipov (Azerbaijan)
5th - Jousop Abdulsalomov (Tajikistan)
5th - Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia)
7th - Gokhan Yavaser (Turkey)
8th - Reineris Salas (Cuba)
9th - Jaime Espinal Fajardo (Puerto Rico)
10th - Istvan Vereb (Hungary)
Gold - Sokhiev dec. Herbert, 1-0, 1-0
Bronze - Aldatov dec. Abdulsalomov, 6-0, 3-0
Bronze - Sharipov dec. Gadisov, 1-0, 2-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Bilyal Makhov (Russia)
Silver - Fardin Masoumi (Iran)
Bronze - Ioannis Arzoumanidis (Greece)
Bronze - Tervel Dlagnev (USA)
5th - Disney Rodriguez (Cuba)
5th - Alex Modebadze (Georgia)
7th - Bartomiej Bartnicki (Poland)
8th - Ali Isayev (Azerbaijan)
9th - Arjan Bhullar (Canada)
10th - Alexei Shemarov (Belarus)
Gold - Makhov dec. Masoumi, 2-0, 6-0
Bronze - Arzoumanidis dec. Rodriguez, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0
Bronze - Dlagnev dec. Modebadze, 2-0, 2-0
HERNING, Denmark - Jake Herbert didn't care that he was competing in his first World Championships.
Herbert flew into Denmark with one purpose in mind.
Walking out of the MesseCenter Herning with a gold medal draped around his neck.
It nearly happened.
Herbert just missed out on his gold-medal goal, dropping a close 1-0, 1-0 decision to Zaurbek Sokhiev of Uzbekistan on Tuesday night in the freestyle finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. Herbert earns a silver medal.
"It stinks, having to stand on the podium with a silver medal. I came in here to win a gold medal and I believed I could do it," Herbert said. "Seeing that other guy's flag go up and hearing that other guy's anthem being played, and then seeing him get a World Championships belt, that gives me something to shoot for next year. I didn't know the champion got a belt. I want that belt."
Herbert was the aggressor most of the match as the powerful Sokhiev, a two-time World bronze medalist, blocked him off. Sokhiev won the first period on his only attack of the match, driving into Herbert and scoring a one-point pushout with just under a minute left.
"He caught me reaching," Herbert said. "He does that pull and push right to the double. He's explosive and drove into me and got the pushout. We knew he did that. I got in a flurry at the end, but they didn't give me a point for the throw."
Herbert came out aggressively in the second period, firing in on shots as Sokhiev continually blocked him off. After a scoreless period, they went to the ball draw. The red ball was drawn for Sokhiev and he quickly finished with Herbert's leg in the clinch to win the match.
"It was frustrating wrestling him because he kept down-blocking me and I couldn't get to his legs," Herbert said. "Guys know I'm relentless and I attack, attack, attack - they want to take me to the clinch. I got off about 15 attacks in the second period, but just couldn't get two hands to the leg and finish. I need to work on that. I need to get in and score."
Herbert, who competes for the New York Athletic Club, caps a superb year where he won his second NCAA title en route to capturing the Hodge Trophy. The Northwestern graduate also was named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year for all sports in 2009.
"If I would've won tonight, I would've been almost forced to retire because there is no way I could've had a better year," Herbert said with a laugh. "It was a great year and I want to keep building on that. We've got some good young wrestlers on this team who want to be World champions. We want to come into an event like this and win 6 or 7 medals. We want to be the best."
Herbert won four tough matches to reach the finals. All four wins came in matches that went the full three periods. He lost the first period in three of those bouts before rallying to come back.
"That's the USA endurance," Herbert said, flashing a smile. "I wrestled my best, and fought as hard as I could out there. I did everything I could to win this medal. Silver's not bad, don't get me wrong, but it's not what I came here to do."
U.S. heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev capped a superb tournament by sweeping Georiga's Alex Mobedadze 2-0, 2-0 in their bronze medal match at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
The athletic, lightning-quick Dlagnev powered in on a succession of single-leg attacks that resulted in takedowns.
"I've definitely come a long way," Dlagnev said. "I still have a long way to go. I obviously didn't get the color I wanted. It definitely was nice to get on the podium though."
Sixth in the NCAA Division II Championships just four years ago for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Dlagnev has made incredible progress in a short period of time.
"Watching Tervel wrestle and have success, that definitely helped me and pumped me up," Herbert said. "He's a great young wrestler, and it was great to see him wrestling well here."
Herbert will receive a $25,000 bonus from the Living the Dream Medal Fund for winning a silver medal while Dlagnev earns $15,000 for capturing a bronze medal.
Russia has clinched the team title with 53 points. Azerbaijan is second with 39. The U.S. has jumped up to sixth place with 19 points. Herbert scored 9 points and Dlagnev
Also winning titles on Tuesday were Besik Kudukhov of Russia (60 kg/132 lbs.) and Bilyal Makhov of Russia (120 kg/264.5 lbs.). It was the third title in six weight classes for Russia in freestyle.
Day 3 of the seven-day tournament will see three more U.S. wrestlers take the mat. Dustin Schlatter (74 kg/163 lbs.) will compete in freestyle while the women's freestyle tournament starts with Clarissa Chun (48 kg/105.5 lbs.) and Jessica Medina (51 kg/112.25 lbs.) ready to go.
Chun won a World title in 2008.
U.S. FREESTYLE RESULTS FROM TUESDAY'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC), DNP
LOSS Anatolie Guidea (Bulgaria), fall 1:20
84 kg/185 lbs. - Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC) - 2nd
WIN David Bichinashvili (Georgia), 1-2, 8-5, injury default
WIN Sharip Sharipov (Azerbaijan), 4-2, 0-4, 3-1
WIN Gokhan Yavaser (Turkey), 0-1, 5-3, 1-0
WIN Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia), 0-4, 2-2, 1-0
LOSS Zaurbek Sokhiev (Uzbekistan), 1-0, 1-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) - 3rd
WIN Juszup Nunajev (Hungary), 1-0, 2-0
WIN Alexei Shemarov (Belarus), 3-0, 2-0
WIN Ali Isayev (Iran), 1-0, 4-0
LOSS Fardin Masoumi (Iran), 1-0, 1-0
WIN Alex Modebadze (Georgia), 2-0, 2-0
Men's freestyle results
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
Silver -Zalimkhan Huseynov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze - Dilshod Mansurov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze - Vasyl Fedoryshin (Ukraine)
5th - Shogo Maeda (Japan)
5th - Sayed Mohammadi (Iran)
7th - Artur Arakelyan (Armenia)
8th - Maikel Perez Gonzales (Cuba)
9th - Bazar Bazarguruev (Kyrgyzstan)
10th - Anatolie Guidea (Bulgaria)
Gold - Kudukhov dec. Huseynov, 2-0, 4-0
Bronze - Mansurov dec. Maeda, 1-0, 2-4, 1-0
Bronze - Fedoryshin dec. Mohammadi, 1-0, 2-0
84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Zaurbek Sokhiev (Uzbekistan)
Silver - Jake Herbert (USA)
Bronze - Ibragim Aldatov (Ukraine)
Bronze -Sharif Sharipov (Azerbaijan)
5th - Jousop Abdulsalomov (Tajikistan)
5th - Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia)
7th - Gokhan Yavaser (Turkey)
8th - Reineris Salas (Cuba)
9th - Jaime Espinal Fajardo (Puerto Rico)
10th - Istvan Vereb (Hungary)
Gold - Sokhiev dec. Herbert, 1-0, 1-0
Bronze - Aldatov dec. Abdulsalomov, 6-0, 3-0
Bronze - Sharipov dec. Gadisov, 1-0, 2-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Bilyal Makhov (Russia)
Silver - Fardin Masoumi (Iran)
Bronze - Ioannis Arzoumanidis (Greece)
Bronze - Tervel Dlagnev (USA)
5th - Disney Rodriguez (Cuba)
5th - Alex Modebadze (Georgia)
7th - Bartomiej Bartnicki (Poland)
8th - Ali Isayev (Azerbaijan)
9th - Arjan Bhullar (Canada)
10th - Alexei Shemarov (Belarus)
Gold - Makhov dec. Masoumi, 2-0, 6-0
Bronze - Arzoumanidis dec. Rodriguez, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0
Bronze - Dlagnev dec. Modebadze, 2-0, 2-0
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