USA drops hard-fought dual to Iran in World Cup finals
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
Jordan Burroughs takes control in his dominant World Cup win over Iran on Sunday night. John Sachs photo.
LOS ANGELES – The United States came out determined to end Iran’s World Cup reign.
But the powerful Iranians held off a strong American effort, capturing their fourth straight World Cup title with a 5-3 win over the U.S. before 4,234 fans Sunday night at the L.A. Forum.
Iran led 4-3 entering the final match before Olympic and World medalist Komeil Ghasemi rallied for a 3-1 win over Zach Rey in the final bout at heavyweight.
The U.S. was seeking its first World Cup freestyle title since 2003. The U.S. has won 13 World Cup titles. Iran won its sixth World Cup title on Sunday.
The U.S. finishes second after reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years.
“We absolutely had our chances,” U.S. coach Bruce Burnett said. “We let a few matches get away, but right now we’re not good enough. We need to get better. Our guys wrestled as hard as they could, but we have to be able to fix the problem areas. We had some great efforts from everybody, but we made some pretty basic mistakes. We can’t do it at this level.”
Rey led 1-0 after one period before Ghasemi battled back. Ghasemi tied it 1-1 and then countered a shot attempt late in the match and spun behind Rey for a takedown to seal the win. Rey needed to score when it was 1-1 because Ghasemi had scored last.
Two-time World medalist Tervel Dlagnev, who won by technical fall in Sunday’s first dual against Mongolia, was unable to go in the Iran dual at heavyweight. Dlagnev has been battling an injury. American Ed Ruth also didn’t compete at 86 kg/189 lbs. Sunday because of an injury.
Iran was boosted by a huge crowd of fans from the large Iranian community that resides in L.A.
Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion Jordan Burroughs used his superior speed and power to dominate Iran’s Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh by a 10-0 technical fall at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Burroughs is now 102-2 in his career and a combined 19-0 in four World Cup appearances.
“There aren’t a lot of times you beat an Iranian 10-0, so it was a great win,” Burroughs said. “I wanted to put on a show for all the fans that came out here. This weekend I really wanted to be stingy on defense. I still have a lot to work on, but it was a good match and a good day.”
Olympic champion Jake Varner fired in for a takedown in the closing seconds to pull out a dramatic victory over Iran’s Mohammad Hossei Mohammadian at 97 kg/213 lbs. Varner trailed 3-1 before scoring the winning takedown. The match ended 3-3, but Varner won by virtue of scoring last. Varner is from nearby Bakersfield.
“I knew I had to go – I had to do something,” Varner said. “It feels good obviously. I didn’t wrestle my best, but I got the takedown and I got the job done.”
American Brent Metcalf continued his superb wrestling with a gritty 3-1 win over 2014 World silver medalist Masmoud Esmailpour of Iran at 65 kg/143 lbs. Metcalf was the aggressor throughout the match and finished unbeaten at the World Cup for the second straight year.
“I was a little frustrated – I know I can put more points on the board,” Metcalf said. “The guy was losing and I was wondering why he was blocking. It was a good win, but I got to get to their legs more. It was still a good win.”
2014 Junior World champion Hassan Yazdani of Iran scored a first-period takedown before holding off 2014 World Team member Nick Marable 3-1 at 70 kg/154 lbs. Marable nearly got behind for a takedown late in the match before Yazdani spun away from danger.
Iran’s Meisam Mostafa Joukar gave up the first takedown before storming back to earn a 12-2 technical fall over Clayton Foster at 86 kg/189 lbs.
World champion Hassan Rahimi of Iran held on for a controversial win over Tony Ramos in the first match at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. The match ended 5-5, but Rahimi won on criteria. Ramos appeared to have a takedown and exposure during the bout, but was not credited with all the points he appeared to earn in a key sequence in the match.
Iran’s Behnam Ehsanpoor rallied for a 9-7 win over Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott at 61 kg/134 lbs. Scott threw Ehasanpoor to his back and nearly pinned him early in the match. Scott led 7-2 after the first period before the Iranian staged a furious second-period rally.
Azerbaijan came back to defeat Russia in the third-place dual. The dual ended up deadlocked 4-4, but Azerbaijan won by virtue of scoring more classification points.
Belarus dropped three of the first four matches before downing Mongolia 5-3 in the fifth-place match. Cuba defeated Turkey in the seventh-place dual.
Freestyle World Cup
April 11-12
The Forum, Los Angeles, Calif.
CHAMPIONSHIP DUAL: IRAN 5, USA 3
57 kg/125 lbs. – Hassan Rahimi (Iran) dec. Tony Ramos (USA), 5-5
61 kg/134 lbs. – Behnam Ehsanpoor (Iran) dec. Coleman Scott (USA), 9-7
65 kg/143 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Masmoud Esmailpour (Iran), 3-1
70 kg/154 lbs. – Hassan Yazdani (Iran) dec. Nick Marable (USA), 3-1
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) won by tech. fall over Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh (Iran), 10-0
86 kg/189 lbs. – Meisam Mostafa Joukar (Iran) won by tech. fall over Clayton Foster (USA), 12-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) dec. Mohammad Hossei Mohammadian (Iran), 3-3
125 kg/275 lbs. – Komeil Ghasemi (Iran) dec. Zach Rey (USA), 3-1
THIRD-PLACE DUAL: AZERBAIJAN 4, RUSSIA 4 (Azerbaijan wins on criteria)
57 kg – Viktor Rassadin (Russia) dec. Yashar Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 8-1
61 kg – Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan) dec. Murshid Mutalimov (Russia), 9-4
65 kg – Magomed Muslimov (Azerbaijan) dec. Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia), 6-0
70 kg – Israil Kasumov (Russia) dec. Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev (Azerbaijan), 6-4
74 kg – Iakubali Shikhdzhamalov (Russia) dec. Murad Suleymanov (Azerbaijan), 4-1
86 kg – Dauren Kurugliev (Russia) dec. Aleksandr Gostiyev (Azerbaijan), 4-0
97 kg – Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) dec. Yury Belonovskiy (Russia), 1-1
125 kg – Jamaladdin Magomedov (Azerbaijan) won by tech. fall over Timur Kotsoev (Russia), 12-1
FIFTH-PLACE DUAL: BELARUS 5, MONGOLIA 3
57 kg – Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar (Mongolia) pinned Ulandzislau Andreyeu (Belarus), 3:36
61 kg – Dzianis Maksimau (Belarus) dec. Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia), 10-7
65 kg – Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia) dec. Azamat Nurykau (Belarus), 5-5
70 kg – Ankhbayar Batchuluun (Mongolia) dec. Zhan Safyan (Belarus), 11-9
74 kg – Ali Shabanau (Belarus) dec. Unurbat Purevjav (Mongolia), 8-2
86 kg – Amarhajy Mahamedau (Belarus) dec. Usukhbaatar Purevee (Mongolia), 8-5
97 kg – Ivan Yankouski (Belarus) dec. Khuderbulga Dorjkhand (Mongolia), 7-2
125 kg – Aleksei Shemarov (Belarus) dec. Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia), 9-1
SEVENTH-PLACE DUAL: CUBA 6, TURKEY 2
57 kg – Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba) won by tech. fall over Sezar Akgul (Turkey), 10-0
61 kg – Munir Recep Aktas (Turkey) won by forfeit
65 kg – Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba) won by tech. fall over Mustafa Kortal (Turkey), 10-0
70 kg – Andy Yoan Moreno Gonzalez (Cuba) over Sefa Aksoy (Turkey) Dec 4-2
74 kg – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) won by forfeit
86 kg – Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba) won by forfeit
97 kg – Javier Cortina (Cuba) pinned Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey), 2:37
125 kg – Tanju Gemici (Turkey) won by forfeit
POOL MATCHES
USA 8, MONGOLIA 0
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Tony Ramos (USA) dec. Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar (Mongolia), 1-1
61 kg/134 lbs. – Coleman Scott (USA) dec. Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia), 8-5
65 kg/143 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia), 8-2
70 kg/154 lbs. – Nick Marable (USA) dec. Ankhbayar Batchuluun (Mongolia), 4-1
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) dec. Unurbat Purevjav (Mongolia), 6-0
86 kg/189 lbs. – Clayton Foster (USA) dec. Usukhbaatar Purevee (Mongolia), 2-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) dec. Khuderbulga Dorjkhand (Mongolia), 3-0
125 kg/275 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev (USA) won by tech. fall over Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia), 10-0
BELARUS 6, TURKEY 2
57 kg – Ulandzislau Andreyeu (Belarus) dec. Sezar Akgul (Turkey), 5-3
61 kg – Munir Recep Aktas (Turkey) won by tech. fall over Dzianis Maksimau (Belarus), 14-4
65 kg – Azamat Nurykau (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Sefa Aksoy (Turkey), 11-0
70 kg – Zhan Safyan (Belarus) won by forfeit
74 kg – Ali Shabanau (Belarus) won by forfeit
86 kg – Serdar Boke (Turkey) dec. Amarhajy Mahamedau (Belarus), 8-7
97 kg – Ivan Yankouski (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey), 14-4
125 kg – Aleksei Shemarov (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Tanju Gemici (Turkey), 10-0
IRAN 7, AZERBAIJAN 1
57 kg – Hassan Rahimi (Iran) dec. Jalal Suleymanor (Azerbaijan), 8-2
61 kg – Behnam Ehsanpoor (Iran) dec. Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 5-5
65 kg – Seyed Ahmad Mohammadi Pahnehkalaei (Iran) dec. Toghrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan), 14-10
70 kg – Hassan Yazdani Charati (Iran) dec. Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev (Azerbaijan), 10-8
74 kg – Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh (Iran) tech. fall Jabrail Hasanov (Azerbaijan), 10-0
86 kg – Meysam Mostafajoukar (Iran) tech. fall Aleksandr Gostiyev (Azerbaijan), 12-1
97 kg – Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) dec. Reza Yazdani (Iran), 8-1
125 kg – Parviz Hadibasmanj (Iran) tech. fall Jamaladdin Magomedov (Azerbaijan), 12-2
RUSSIA 4, CUBA 4 (Russia wins on criteria)
57 kg – Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba) over Viktor Rassadin (Russia), 10-4
61 kg – Murshid Mutalimov (Russia) by forfeit
65 kg – Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba) dec. Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia), 4-3
70 kg – Israil Kasumov (Russia) pin Andy Yoan Moreno Gonzalez (Cuba), 2:02
74 kg – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) dec. Isa Daudov (Russia), 6-2
86 kg – Akhmed Magomedov (Russia) by forfeit
97 kg – Javier Cortina Lacerra (Cuba) dec. Azret Shogenov (Russia), 8-2
125 kg – Yury Belonovskiy (Russia) pin Eduardo Mesa Rabi (Cuba), 3:57
LOS ANGELES – The United States came out determined to end Iran’s World Cup reign.
But the powerful Iranians held off a strong American effort, capturing their fourth straight World Cup title with a 5-3 win over the U.S. before 4,234 fans Sunday night at the L.A. Forum.
Iran led 4-3 entering the final match before Olympic and World medalist Komeil Ghasemi rallied for a 3-1 win over Zach Rey in the final bout at heavyweight.
The U.S. was seeking its first World Cup freestyle title since 2003. The U.S. has won 13 World Cup titles. Iran won its sixth World Cup title on Sunday.
The U.S. finishes second after reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years.
“We absolutely had our chances,” U.S. coach Bruce Burnett said. “We let a few matches get away, but right now we’re not good enough. We need to get better. Our guys wrestled as hard as they could, but we have to be able to fix the problem areas. We had some great efforts from everybody, but we made some pretty basic mistakes. We can’t do it at this level.”
Rey led 1-0 after one period before Ghasemi battled back. Ghasemi tied it 1-1 and then countered a shot attempt late in the match and spun behind Rey for a takedown to seal the win. Rey needed to score when it was 1-1 because Ghasemi had scored last.
Two-time World medalist Tervel Dlagnev, who won by technical fall in Sunday’s first dual against Mongolia, was unable to go in the Iran dual at heavyweight. Dlagnev has been battling an injury. American Ed Ruth also didn’t compete at 86 kg/189 lbs. Sunday because of an injury.
Iran was boosted by a huge crowd of fans from the large Iranian community that resides in L.A.
Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion Jordan Burroughs used his superior speed and power to dominate Iran’s Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh by a 10-0 technical fall at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Burroughs is now 102-2 in his career and a combined 19-0 in four World Cup appearances.
“There aren’t a lot of times you beat an Iranian 10-0, so it was a great win,” Burroughs said. “I wanted to put on a show for all the fans that came out here. This weekend I really wanted to be stingy on defense. I still have a lot to work on, but it was a good match and a good day.”
Olympic champion Jake Varner fired in for a takedown in the closing seconds to pull out a dramatic victory over Iran’s Mohammad Hossei Mohammadian at 97 kg/213 lbs. Varner trailed 3-1 before scoring the winning takedown. The match ended 3-3, but Varner won by virtue of scoring last. Varner is from nearby Bakersfield.
“I knew I had to go – I had to do something,” Varner said. “It feels good obviously. I didn’t wrestle my best, but I got the takedown and I got the job done.”
American Brent Metcalf continued his superb wrestling with a gritty 3-1 win over 2014 World silver medalist Masmoud Esmailpour of Iran at 65 kg/143 lbs. Metcalf was the aggressor throughout the match and finished unbeaten at the World Cup for the second straight year.
“I was a little frustrated – I know I can put more points on the board,” Metcalf said. “The guy was losing and I was wondering why he was blocking. It was a good win, but I got to get to their legs more. It was still a good win.”
2014 Junior World champion Hassan Yazdani of Iran scored a first-period takedown before holding off 2014 World Team member Nick Marable 3-1 at 70 kg/154 lbs. Marable nearly got behind for a takedown late in the match before Yazdani spun away from danger.
Iran’s Meisam Mostafa Joukar gave up the first takedown before storming back to earn a 12-2 technical fall over Clayton Foster at 86 kg/189 lbs.
World champion Hassan Rahimi of Iran held on for a controversial win over Tony Ramos in the first match at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. The match ended 5-5, but Rahimi won on criteria. Ramos appeared to have a takedown and exposure during the bout, but was not credited with all the points he appeared to earn in a key sequence in the match.
Iran’s Behnam Ehsanpoor rallied for a 9-7 win over Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott at 61 kg/134 lbs. Scott threw Ehasanpoor to his back and nearly pinned him early in the match. Scott led 7-2 after the first period before the Iranian staged a furious second-period rally.
Azerbaijan came back to defeat Russia in the third-place dual. The dual ended up deadlocked 4-4, but Azerbaijan won by virtue of scoring more classification points.
Belarus dropped three of the first four matches before downing Mongolia 5-3 in the fifth-place match. Cuba defeated Turkey in the seventh-place dual.
Freestyle World Cup
April 11-12
The Forum, Los Angeles, Calif.
CHAMPIONSHIP DUAL: IRAN 5, USA 3
57 kg/125 lbs. – Hassan Rahimi (Iran) dec. Tony Ramos (USA), 5-5
61 kg/134 lbs. – Behnam Ehsanpoor (Iran) dec. Coleman Scott (USA), 9-7
65 kg/143 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Masmoud Esmailpour (Iran), 3-1
70 kg/154 lbs. – Hassan Yazdani (Iran) dec. Nick Marable (USA), 3-1
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) won by tech. fall over Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh (Iran), 10-0
86 kg/189 lbs. – Meisam Mostafa Joukar (Iran) won by tech. fall over Clayton Foster (USA), 12-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) dec. Mohammad Hossei Mohammadian (Iran), 3-3
125 kg/275 lbs. – Komeil Ghasemi (Iran) dec. Zach Rey (USA), 3-1
THIRD-PLACE DUAL: AZERBAIJAN 4, RUSSIA 4 (Azerbaijan wins on criteria)
57 kg – Viktor Rassadin (Russia) dec. Yashar Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 8-1
61 kg – Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan) dec. Murshid Mutalimov (Russia), 9-4
65 kg – Magomed Muslimov (Azerbaijan) dec. Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia), 6-0
70 kg – Israil Kasumov (Russia) dec. Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev (Azerbaijan), 6-4
74 kg – Iakubali Shikhdzhamalov (Russia) dec. Murad Suleymanov (Azerbaijan), 4-1
86 kg – Dauren Kurugliev (Russia) dec. Aleksandr Gostiyev (Azerbaijan), 4-0
97 kg – Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) dec. Yury Belonovskiy (Russia), 1-1
125 kg – Jamaladdin Magomedov (Azerbaijan) won by tech. fall over Timur Kotsoev (Russia), 12-1
FIFTH-PLACE DUAL: BELARUS 5, MONGOLIA 3
57 kg – Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar (Mongolia) pinned Ulandzislau Andreyeu (Belarus), 3:36
61 kg – Dzianis Maksimau (Belarus) dec. Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia), 10-7
65 kg – Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia) dec. Azamat Nurykau (Belarus), 5-5
70 kg – Ankhbayar Batchuluun (Mongolia) dec. Zhan Safyan (Belarus), 11-9
74 kg – Ali Shabanau (Belarus) dec. Unurbat Purevjav (Mongolia), 8-2
86 kg – Amarhajy Mahamedau (Belarus) dec. Usukhbaatar Purevee (Mongolia), 8-5
97 kg – Ivan Yankouski (Belarus) dec. Khuderbulga Dorjkhand (Mongolia), 7-2
125 kg – Aleksei Shemarov (Belarus) dec. Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia), 9-1
SEVENTH-PLACE DUAL: CUBA 6, TURKEY 2
57 kg – Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba) won by tech. fall over Sezar Akgul (Turkey), 10-0
61 kg – Munir Recep Aktas (Turkey) won by forfeit
65 kg – Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba) won by tech. fall over Mustafa Kortal (Turkey), 10-0
70 kg – Andy Yoan Moreno Gonzalez (Cuba) over Sefa Aksoy (Turkey) Dec 4-2
74 kg – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) won by forfeit
86 kg – Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba) won by forfeit
97 kg – Javier Cortina (Cuba) pinned Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey), 2:37
125 kg – Tanju Gemici (Turkey) won by forfeit
POOL MATCHES
USA 8, MONGOLIA 0
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Tony Ramos (USA) dec. Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar (Mongolia), 1-1
61 kg/134 lbs. – Coleman Scott (USA) dec. Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan (Mongolia), 8-5
65 kg/143 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia), 8-2
70 kg/154 lbs. – Nick Marable (USA) dec. Ankhbayar Batchuluun (Mongolia), 4-1
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) dec. Unurbat Purevjav (Mongolia), 6-0
86 kg/189 lbs. – Clayton Foster (USA) dec. Usukhbaatar Purevee (Mongolia), 2-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) dec. Khuderbulga Dorjkhand (Mongolia), 3-0
125 kg/275 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev (USA) won by tech. fall over Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia), 10-0
BELARUS 6, TURKEY 2
57 kg – Ulandzislau Andreyeu (Belarus) dec. Sezar Akgul (Turkey), 5-3
61 kg – Munir Recep Aktas (Turkey) won by tech. fall over Dzianis Maksimau (Belarus), 14-4
65 kg – Azamat Nurykau (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Sefa Aksoy (Turkey), 11-0
70 kg – Zhan Safyan (Belarus) won by forfeit
74 kg – Ali Shabanau (Belarus) won by forfeit
86 kg – Serdar Boke (Turkey) dec. Amarhajy Mahamedau (Belarus), 8-7
97 kg – Ivan Yankouski (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey), 14-4
125 kg – Aleksei Shemarov (Belarus) won by tech. fall over Tanju Gemici (Turkey), 10-0
IRAN 7, AZERBAIJAN 1
57 kg – Hassan Rahimi (Iran) dec. Jalal Suleymanor (Azerbaijan), 8-2
61 kg – Behnam Ehsanpoor (Iran) dec. Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 5-5
65 kg – Seyed Ahmad Mohammadi Pahnehkalaei (Iran) dec. Toghrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan), 14-10
70 kg – Hassan Yazdani Charati (Iran) dec. Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev (Azerbaijan), 10-8
74 kg – Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh (Iran) tech. fall Jabrail Hasanov (Azerbaijan), 10-0
86 kg – Meysam Mostafajoukar (Iran) tech. fall Aleksandr Gostiyev (Azerbaijan), 12-1
97 kg – Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) dec. Reza Yazdani (Iran), 8-1
125 kg – Parviz Hadibasmanj (Iran) tech. fall Jamaladdin Magomedov (Azerbaijan), 12-2
RUSSIA 4, CUBA 4 (Russia wins on criteria)
57 kg – Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba) over Viktor Rassadin (Russia), 10-4
61 kg – Murshid Mutalimov (Russia) by forfeit
65 kg – Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba) dec. Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia), 4-3
70 kg – Israil Kasumov (Russia) pin Andy Yoan Moreno Gonzalez (Cuba), 2:02
74 kg – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) dec. Isa Daudov (Russia), 6-2
86 kg – Akhmed Magomedov (Russia) by forfeit
97 kg – Javier Cortina Lacerra (Cuba) dec. Azret Shogenov (Russia), 8-2
125 kg – Yury Belonovskiy (Russia) pin Eduardo Mesa Rabi (Cuba), 3:57
