Nickal and Kerkvliet dominate to advance to U23 World semifinals in Budapest

Photo of Bo Nickal by Sachiko Hotaka, United World Wrestling.

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Two American men’s freestylers, Bo Nickal and Daniel Greg Kerkvliet, punched their tickets to the semifinals of their respective weights on Tuesday afternoon at the U23 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

2017 Cadet World champion Kervliet opened his tournament at 125 kg in dominating fashion with two wins.

In his first match, the Ohio State freshman took out two-time Maccabi Games medalist Lior Altsuler of Israel with a 10-0 technical fall in just 65 seconds. Among his 10 points was a four-point feet-to-back takedown to seal the victory.

To secure a spot in the semifinals, Kerkvliet registered a fall over Salim Ercan of Turkey. To go up 11-2, Kerkvliet used two powerful four-point doubles. On a restart in par terre, the American worked a cradle for a pin in 2:34.

Tonight, Kerkvliet will face two-time U23 European bronze medalist Vitali Goloev of Russia.

At 92 kg, three-time NCAA champion Bo Nickal impressed in his first international event since 2013.

To begin his tournament, Nickal battled returning U23 World bronze medalist Hossein Shahbazigazvar of Iran. Shahbazigazvar struck first with a takedown and held onto a 2-0 lead through the break.

With just under two minutes left, Nickal scored on an ankle pick and three leg laces to take a substantial lead. He then added a pair of takedowns for a 12-2 technical fall.

Shortly after, Nickal faced Takumi Tanizaki of Japan in the quarterfinals. The bout barely lasted over a minute as Nickal locked up a cradle to secure the pin in 1:13 and move onto the semifinals.

Tonight, Nickal will face reigning U23 World champion Shamil Zubairov of Azerbaijan.

Waiting to be pulled into repechage are two Americans: Brady Berge and Max Dean.

Wrestling at 74 kg, Junior World bronze medalist Brady Berge faced 2018 Junior World silver medalist Razambek Zhamalov of Russia in the first round. It was a rematch of a first-round match at last year’s Junior World Championships.

The last time they wrestled, Zhamalov defeated Berge with a 13-3 tech fall. This time, Berge closed in but still fell short, 5-1.

The Russian went on to make tonight’s semifinals. Should he defeat 2019 U23 European bronze medalist Giorgi Sulava of Georgia, he will pull Berge into repechage.

At 86 kg, NCAA runner-up for Cornell Max Dean dropped his first bout to 2018 Junior World champion Hayato Ishiguro of Japan, 12-2. Ishiguro eventually advanced to the quarterfinals.

Tonight, Ishiguro will face two-time Junior World medalist Gadzhimurad Magomedsaidov of Azerbaijan in the semifinals. Should Ishiguro win, he will pull Dean back into repechage.

At 61 kg, Chas Tucker started strong against Mohammadbagher Yakhkeshi of Iran, who was fifth at the 2018 Senior World Championships.

Tucker scored a pair of takedowns, but Yakhkeshi picked up six-straight step outs to register a 6-4 win. However, Yakhkeshi failed to make the finals, losing in the quarterfinals and ending Tucker’s U23 World Championships.

The semifinals are set for 5:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET) live on Trackwrestling. Follow @USAWrestling on Twitter for live updates.

2019 U23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Budapest, Hungary (Oct. 28-Nov. 3)

U.S. men’s freestyle results
61 kg: Chas Tucker (Worcester, Mass./Finger Lakes WC/ Titan Mercury WC) – eliminated
LOSS Mohammadbagher Yakhkeshi (Iran), 6-4

74 kg: Brady Berge (Mantorville, Minn./Nittany Lion WC)
LOSS Razambek Zhamalov (Russia), 5-1

86 kg: Max Dean (Lowell, Mich./Finger Lakes WC/ Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Hayato Ishiguro (Japan), 12-2

92 kg: Bo Nickal (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) - semifinals
WIN Hossein Shahbazigazvar (Iran), 12-2
WIN Takumi Tanizaki (Japan), fall 1:13
vs. Shamil Zubairov (Azerbaijan)

125 kg: Daniel Greg Kerkvliet (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Ohio RTC/ Titan Mercury WC) - semifinals
WIN Lior Altshuler (Israel), 10-0
WIN Salim Ercan (Turkey), fall 2:34
vs. Vitali Goloev (Russia)