USA goes three-for-three in Yasar Dogu semifinals, sending Diakomihalis, Dieringer and Gwiazdowski to gold match

ISTANBUL, Turkey – The United States went three-for-three in the Yasar Dogu semifinals on Friday, sending Yianni Diakomihalis, Alex Dieringer and Nick Gwiazdowski to the finals tomorrow.

At 65 kg, Diakomihalis managed a huge comeback over 2013 Junior World silver medalist Ismail Musukaev of Hungary (formerly Russia), trailing 9-0. The young American fought back, putting up eight points, but Musukaev was eventually disqualified from the match after receiving three cautions.

In tomorrow’s finals, Diakomihalis will face Haji Ali of Brunei, who fifth at the 2019 Asian Championships. Like Musukaev, Ali was formerly of Russia.

At 79 kg, Alex Dieringer, who will compete for the World Team spot on Aug. 17, put up a controlled 4-0 decision over 2018 World Military silver medalist Bahman Teymouri of Iran.

In the finals, Dieringer will face 2017 U23 World silver medalist Akhsarbek Gulaev of Slovakia (formerly Russia).

At 125 kg, Gwiazdowski defeated 2019 Asian Championships bronze medalist Sumit Sumit from India, using two takedowns in the second period for a 6-2 win.

In the finals, Gwiazdowski will take on 2016 Olympic champion and two-time World champion Taha Akgul from Turkey.

Zain Retherford has been pulled into repechage at 65 kg. In his first match, he will go up against 2018 U23 World silver medalist Ali Rahimzade of Azerbaijan, who Diakomihalis defeated 13-2 in the quarterfinals.

Repechage begins Saturday at 11 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) and the finals will take place at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET) live on Flowrestling.org.

2019 YASAR DOGU INTERNATIONAL
at Istanbul, Turkey, July 11-14

U.S. Men’s freestyle draws
65 kg: Yianni Diakomihalis (Rochester, N.Y./Titan Mercury WC/FLWC)
WIN Zain Retherford (USA), 9-5
WIN Ali Rahimzade (Azerbaijan), 13-2
WIN Ismail Musukaev (Hungary), win by cautions
vs. Haji Ali (Brunei)

65 kg: Zain Retherford (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC)
LOSS Yianni Diakomihalis (USA), 9-5
vs. Ali Rahimzade (Azerbaijan)

79 kg: Alex Dieringer (Stillwater, /Titan Mercury WC/Cowboy RTC)
WIN Abubakr Abakarov (Azerbaijan), 10-0
WIN Bahman Teymouri (Iran), 4-0
vs. Akhsarbek Gulaev (Slovakia)

125 kg: Nick Gwiazdowski (Raleigh, N.C./Titan Mercury WC/Wolfpack RTC)
WIN Fatih Cakiroglu (Turkey), win by forfeit
WIN Sumit Sumit (India), 6-2
vs. Taha Akgul (Turkey)