Zahid Valencia wins gold at Bayrak & Atli Junior International in Turkey
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Photo on homepage: U.S. delegation poses with champion Zahid Valencia on the award podium at the conclusion of the Bayrak and Atli Junior International in Turkey.
Photo in story: Zahid Valencia receives his gold medal at 84 kg at the Bayrak and Atli Junior International in Turkey. Photos by Brandon Slay.
ANTALYA, Turkey – Zahid Valencia (Pico Rivera, Calif./Sunkist Kids) won a bronze medal today at 84 kg/185 lbs. in men’s freestyle on the final day of the respected Mithat Bayrak and Ismet Atli Junior International.
Valencia, a 2015 UWW Junior Nationals champion, won four matches on the way to the gold medal. He defeated Zharuel Shapiev of Russia in the championship finals in a 2-2 criteria decision
He scored three 10-0 technical fall victories over Grzegos Sadovik of Poland, Enes Altun of Turkey and Iliskehan Cihilayev of Kazakhstan on the way to the finals.
"I was very proud of the way Zahid battled the entire day. He had three 10-0 technical fall wins on the way to the final and beat a salty Russian 2-2 to earn the gold. This was Zahid's very first international tournament, so for him to win is very impressive and points to a bright future,” said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay.
Valencia has signed with Arizona State. Earlier this month, he was selected by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the winner of the Dave Schultz National High School Excellence Award.
Also competing on Sunday was Penn State star Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas/Nittany Lion WC) who finished with a 1-1 record at 84 kg/185 lbs. He opened with a win over Metin Ozturk of Turkey, then fell to Iliskehan Cihilayev of Kazakhstan in the second round.
The USA had two medals from the four-athlete delegation. Stevan Micic (Cedar Lake, Ind./Chicago RTC) won a bronze medal Saturday at 55 kg/121 lbs. In addition, Jordan Wood (Gilbertsville, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) placed fifth Friday at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., putting three of the athletes in medal matches.
"Technically, for Team USA freestyle to become the best team in the world on a Cadet, Junior, and Senior level, it's ultra imperative that we learn how to block, clear, and engage underhooks. I hope every American wrestler and coach reads that statement and acts on it accordingly. It's crucial for development!," said Slay
MITHAT BAYRAK & ISMET ATLI JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL
At Antalya, Turkey, May 23
U.S. men’s freestyle performance
84 kg/185 lbs. – Zahid Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 1st
WIN Grzegos Sadovik (Poland), 10-0
WIN Enes Altun (Turkey), 10-0
WIN Iliskehan Cihilayev (Kazakhstan), 10-0
WIN Zharuel Shapiev (Russia), 2-2
84 kg/185 lbs. – Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas (Nittany Lion WC)
WIN Metin Ozturk (Turkey)
LOSS Iliskehan Cihilayev (Kazakhstan), 3-12
Photo in story: Zahid Valencia receives his gold medal at 84 kg at the Bayrak and Atli Junior International in Turkey. Photos by Brandon Slay.
ANTALYA, Turkey – Zahid Valencia (Pico Rivera, Calif./Sunkist Kids) won a bronze medal today at 84 kg/185 lbs. in men’s freestyle on the final day of the respected Mithat Bayrak and Ismet Atli Junior International.
Valencia, a 2015 UWW Junior Nationals champion, won four matches on the way to the gold medal. He defeated Zharuel Shapiev of Russia in the championship finals in a 2-2 criteria decision
He scored three 10-0 technical fall victories over Grzegos Sadovik of Poland, Enes Altun of Turkey and Iliskehan Cihilayev of Kazakhstan on the way to the finals.
"I was very proud of the way Zahid battled the entire day. He had three 10-0 technical fall wins on the way to the final and beat a salty Russian 2-2 to earn the gold. This was Zahid's very first international tournament, so for him to win is very impressive and points to a bright future,” said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay.
Valencia has signed with Arizona State. Earlier this month, he was selected by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as the winner of the Dave Schultz National High School Excellence Award.
Also competing on Sunday was Penn State star Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas/Nittany Lion WC) who finished with a 1-1 record at 84 kg/185 lbs. He opened with a win over Metin Ozturk of Turkey, then fell to Iliskehan Cihilayev of Kazakhstan in the second round.
The USA had two medals from the four-athlete delegation. Stevan Micic (Cedar Lake, Ind./Chicago RTC) won a bronze medal Saturday at 55 kg/121 lbs. In addition, Jordan Wood (Gilbertsville, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) placed fifth Friday at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., putting three of the athletes in medal matches.
"Technically, for Team USA freestyle to become the best team in the world on a Cadet, Junior, and Senior level, it's ultra imperative that we learn how to block, clear, and engage underhooks. I hope every American wrestler and coach reads that statement and acts on it accordingly. It's crucial for development!," said Slay
MITHAT BAYRAK & ISMET ATLI JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL
At Antalya, Turkey, May 23
U.S. men’s freestyle performance
84 kg/185 lbs. – Zahid Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 1st
WIN Grzegos Sadovik (Poland), 10-0
WIN Enes Altun (Turkey), 10-0
WIN Iliskehan Cihilayev (Kazakhstan), 10-0
WIN Zharuel Shapiev (Russia), 2-2
84 kg/185 lbs. – Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas (Nittany Lion WC)
WIN Metin Ozturk (Turkey)
LOSS Iliskehan Cihilayev (Kazakhstan), 3-12
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