UPDATE: Herbert places fifth at Intercontinental Cup in Russia, in first action since London Games

Jake Herbert, shown at the 2012 Olympic Games, placed fifth in his first international competition in more than two years. Larry Slater photo.

KHASAVYURT, Russia – 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC/Cliff Keen WC) placed fifth at the Intercontinental Cup on Sunday, in his first competition since wrestling in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.


Herbert finished the tournament with a 2-2 record, but competed well in all four bouts, with a chance to win them all.


Herbert opened with an 8-5 win over Russian Salim Rabadanov, then defeated Ibrahim Yusubov of Azerbaijan 6-5 in the second round.


In a controversial semifinal, Herbert missed a throw to fall behind 4-9, then battled back hard before losing 8-9 to Alexander Gostiyev of Azerbaijan.


In his bronze-medal bout, Herbert was beaten by Zbigniew Baranowski of Poland, 3-6.


“To be one point away from making the finals and winning a medal here in my first competition in two years was good. I had no coach, no referee and not trainer with me. It was an experience for sure. By the time I made the finals, I had a cheering section. It was because of the way I wrestled, scoring points and wrestling hard,” said Herbert, calling from Khasavuyurt.


In a report on Wrestdag.ru, a respected wrestling website based in Dagestan, Herbert was a fan favorite there. Below is a posting on the website (with a rough interpretation):


“The audience gave eager support for the American wrestler Jake Herbert. The Yankee won the sympathy of the stands with his fight, character and good American spirit. His semifinal meeting with Azerbaijani Ossetian Alexander Gostiev turned out spectacular and intense, but the outcome of the meeting upset the Khasavyurt fans as their favorite American conceded, 8 9.”


Herbert has remained active in wrestling since the London Olympics, where he placed seventh, dropping a controversial match to Ibrahim Bolukasi of Turkey, 0-1, 4-1, 4-5 in the repechage rounds.


“I know I am moving in the right direction here. In the third and fifth place matches, I blast-doubled guys right off the stage. I will evaluate how I did when I return home. I think the Yarygin Tournament or the Cuban tournament will be next for me. The biggest thing was this test for me. I wanted to see if I still have it, where I am now, and what I need to do. I got a lot done here. I put a lot of points on the board. That is a big piece of what I will need. I have my offense going. I just have to get my defense stronger and get some rust off my body,” said Herbert.


INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

At Khasavyurt, Russia, October 19

86 kg/189 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC/Cliff Keen WC), 5th

WIN Salim Rabadanov (Russia), 8-5

WIN Ibrahim Yusubov (Azerbaijan), 6-5

LOSS Alexander Gostiyev (Azerbaijan), 8-9

LOSS Zbigniew Baranowski (Poland), 2-6


Men’s freestyle results

57 kg

Gold – Ismail Musukaev (Russia)

Silver - Nariman Israpilov (Russia)

Bronze – Artyom Gebekov (Russia)

Bronze – Gadzhimagomed Aliev (Russia)

5th – Mikhail Ivanov (Russia)

5th – Nodar Arbidze (Russia)

Gold – Musukaev tech fall Israpilov, 11-1

Bronze –Gebekov dec. Ivanov, 3-0

Bronze – Aliev dec. Arbidze, 10-5


61 kg

Gold - Imam Adzhiev (Russia)

Silver - Rustam Ampar (Russia)

Bronze - Azamatbi Pshnatlov (Russia)

Bronze - Atmir Kromov (Russia)

5th - Shamil Omarov (Russia)

5th - Islam Mashitov (Russia)

Gold – Adzhiev dec. Ampar, 10-4

Bronze – Pshnatlov tech. Lobsters, 12-1

Bronze – Chrom dec. Mazhitova, 11-3


65 kg

Gold – Magomed Kurbanaliev (Russia)

Silver – Magomed Muslimov (Azerbaijan)

Bronze – Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Russia)

Bronze – Andrey Kviatkovski (Ukraine)

5th – Meizhan Ashirov (Kazakshtan)

5th – Agahuseyin Mustafaev (Azerbaijan)


70 kg

Gold - Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (Poland)

Silver - Israil Gasimov (Russia)

Bronze – Shamil Batirov (Russia)

Bronze – Mulid Lampezhev (Russia)

5th – Azamat Nurikov (Belarus)

5th - David Suyunkhanov (Russia)

Gold – Hajiyev dec. Gasimov, 3-2

Bronze – Batirov dec. Nurikov, 2-1

Bronze – Lampezhev dec. Suyunkhanov, 5-0


74 kg

Gold – Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (Russia)

Silver – Isa Daudov (Russia)

Bronze – Yabrail Hasanov (Azerbaijan)

Bronze – Askhab Geriev (Russia)

5th – Gadzhi Gadzhiev (Russia)

5th – Osman Isakov (Russia)

Gold – Gadzhimagomedov dec. Daudov, 7-1

Bronze – Hasanov inj. dft. Gadzhiev

Bronze – Geriev dec. Isakov, 6-2


86 kg

Gold - Akhmed Magomedov (Russia)

Silver - Alexander Gostiev (Azerbaijan)

Bronze - Zbigniew Baranowski (Poland)

Bronze – Dauren Kurguliev (Russia)

5th – Jake Herbert (USA)

5th – Akhmed Bataev (Russia)

Gold – Magomedov dec. Gostiev, 4-2

Bronze – Baranowski dec. Herbert, 6-2

Bronze Kurguliev dec. Bataev, 3-1


97 kg

Gold – Rasul Magomedov (Russia)

Silver – Magomed Ibragimov (Russia)

Bronze – Vladislav Baitsaev (Russia)

Bronze – Asret Shogenov (Russia)

5th – Pavlo Oliynik (Ukraine)

5th – Radoslaw Baran (Poland)

Gold – Magomedov inj. dft. Ibragimov

Bronze – Baitsaev dec. Oliynek, 4-2

Bronze – Shogenov dec. Baran, 8-4


125 kg

Gold – Alan Zaseev (Ukraine)

Silver – Alexander Khosianivski (Ukraine)

Bronze – Timur Kotsoev (Russia)

Bronze – Eduard Bazrov (Russia)

5th - Dzhamaludin Magomedov (Azerbaijan)

5th - Ibrahim Saidov (Belarus)

Gold – Zaseev dec. Hotsyanovsky, 2-1

Bronze – Katsoevu inj. dft. Magomedov

Bronze – Bazrov dec. Saidov, 7-4


Special thanks to Jake Herbert and to Wrestdag.ru