Moore moves onto U23 World Championship semifinals at 97 kg

BUCHAREST, Romania - 2017 Junior World bronze medalist Kollin Moore became the first American semifinalist of the week at the 2018 U23 World Championships, landing a spot in the 97 kg semifinal in Bucharest, Romania.

Moore, who returned to the World stage for the first time since his Junior medal-winning appearance last summer, began his day with a true battle against Russia Nationals bronze medalist Igor Ovsiannikov of Russia.

The two traded scores throughout the entire match, with Ovsiannikov holding a lead for the majority of the bout. With only a few seconds remaining, Moore scored a crucial takedown and hung on for a 6-5 decision.

Against Nishan Randhawa of Canada in the second round, Moore scored multiple takedowns en route to a 10-0 victory.

In the next round, the two-time NCAA All-American for Ohio State eased into the semifinals, thanks to an 11-1 first-period technical fall over two-time age-group World medalist Yunus Dede of Turkey.

Tonight, Moore will face Magamed Zakariiev from Ukraine. Zakariiev finished 10th at the Interantional Ukrainian Memorial earlier this year.

Those knocked out of the championship side of the bracket in the morning session were Jack Mueller, Colton McCrystal, Hayden Hidlay and David McFadden.

At 57 kg, Jack Mueller of the University of Virginia opened his tournament with a 13-3 technical fall over Canada’s Darthe Capellan, who represented Canada at the Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, two weeks ago.

In the quarterfinals, Mueller faced 2013 Cadet World bronze medalist Toshihiro Hasewaga of Japan, who took a 9-4 win over the Cavalier.

Should Hasewaga win his semifinal, Mueller will be pulled back into repechage.

Former Nebraska wrestler McCrystal trailed 8-0 early in his first bout at 65 kg against Nurgazy Abdurazakov of Kyrgyzstan. Before the period ended, McCrystal scored a takedown to trail 8-2 at the break. In the second period, the Husker stormed back, scoring nine more points and ending the match with a fall in 5:09.

In the next round, McCrystal powered through former Russian wrestler Haji Ali, who now represents Bahrain, with a 14-4 technical fall.

McCrystal fell in the quarterfinals to Morteza Ghiasi Cheka of Iran in a 10-0 loss. Should Ghiasi Cheka win his semifinals bout, McCrystal will be pulled into repechage.

Hayden Hidlay, a 2017 NCAA runner-up for North Carolina State, picked up the first win of the day for U.S. men’s freestyle, defeating 2018 Pan American bronze medalist Alexander Chaves of Canada with a quick 10-0 tech fall.

In his second round, Hidlay fell just shy of a win, fighting back against 2014 Cadet World champion and 2017 Junior World champion David Baev of Russia. Only scoring in the first period, Baev held off Hidlay, 6-5.

Baev advanced to tonight’s semifinals. Should he win, Hidlay will be pulled into tomorrow’s repechage.

Two-time All-American for Virginia Tech David McFadden put together an impressive morning at 79 kg before losing in the quarterfinals.

To open his tournament, McFadden dominated 2012 Cadet World silver medalist and 2018 University World bronze winner Muhammet Kucukyildirim of Turkey with a 12-4 decision. In the next match, the Hokie breezed past Uladzislau Yeliseyeu from Belarus, shutting him out for a 10-0 tech fall.

In the quarters, McFadden led 2017 Junior World silver medalist Isa Shapiev of Uzbekistan, 9-4, halfway through the second period, but the Uzbek climbed his way back into the match for a 12-9 win.

Should Shapiev win his semifinal, McFadden will be pulled into repechage.

The semifinals are set for 5:15 p.m. local time (10:15 a.m. ET) live on Trackwrestling.com.

2018 U23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

at Bucharest, Romania


U.S. men’s freestyle first-round pairings

57 kg: Jack Mueller (Dallas, Texas/Cavalier WC)
WIN Darthe Capellan (Canada), 13-3
LOSS Toshihiro Hasewaga (Japan), 9-4

65 kg: Colton McCrystal (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa/Nebraska WTC)
WIN Nurgazy Abdurazakov (Kyrgyzstan), fall 5:09
WIN Haji Ali (Bahrain), 14-4
LOSS Morteza Ghiasi Cheka (Iran), 10-0

70 kg: Hayden Hidlay (Lewistown, Pa./Wolfpack WC)
WIN Alexander Chaves (Canada), 10-0
LOSS David Baev (Russia), 6-5

79 kg: David McFadden (West Milford, N.J./Southeast RTC)
WIN Muhammet Kucukyildirim (Turkey), 12-4
WIN Uladzislau Yeliseyeu (Belarus), 10-0
LOSS Isa Shapiev (Uzbekistan), 12-9

97 kg: Kollin Moore (Burbank, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
WIN Igor Ovsiannikov (Russia), 6-5
WIN Nishan Randhawa (Canada), 10-0
WIN Yunus Dede (Turkey), 11-1