Burroughs falls in clash of top contenders, Dennis knocked out in first men's freestyle session at Olympics
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by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
| Jordan Burroughs (USA) works a single leg against Aniuar Geduev (RUS) in the 74 kg quarterfinals. Photo: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com |
RIO DE JANEIRO – After Team USA posted an Olympic night for the ages, the tables were turned in the opening session of men’s freestyle. Reigning Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs was stunned in the quarterfinals and teammate Daniel Dennis was unable to get past his first round test.
One of the greatest wrestlers in U.S. history, Burroughs suffered his first Olympic loss at the hands of Russian rival Aniuar Geduev in his second match of the day at 74 kg.
Right out of the gate things got heated between the top two wrestlers at 74 kg with extracurricular shoving occurring less than 10 seconds into the match. As expected, the contest remained fierce throughout. Entering the second period Burroughs trailed by one after surrendering a shot clock point midway through the first. Geduev tacked on two step-outs to take a 3-0 lead late entering the final minute. Burroughs attacked relentlessly as the match counted down, but he could only muster a late takedown and fell 3-2.
The bloody quarterfinal affair gave the American champion just the third international loss of his career. Burroughs now owns a senior level record of 130-3.
Geduev staved off two-time World bronze medalist Yabrail Hasanov of Azerbaijan in the semis, 5-4, to give Burroughs new life. Burroughs will have the opportunity to capture his sixth-straight World or Olympic medal this evening at Carioca Arena 2 in Rio.
His run at bronze will begin against 2014 World bronze medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmonov of Uzbekistan. The two met at the Grand Prix of Germany last month with Burroughs winning, 9-3.
Coming off a World bronze medal last year, Geduev will go for Olympic gold against 2015 World silver medalist Hassan Yazdanicharati of Iran.
It was a quick exit for U.S. Olympian Daniel Dennis at 57 kg as he was defeated by Bulgaria’s Vladimir Dubov, 11-0. Dubov doubled Dennis early in the first period and added on four gut wrenches to end the match in less than two minutes.
“It is extremely frustrating, especially after you feel like you are ready,” Dennis said. “He is a good wrestler. He had a good match in the semis until the end. He could have very well been in the finals. I felt like I was in control in that match on the feet. It kind of hit the fan and he blew it open. Good for him.”
Dubov was downed by 2015 World champion Vladimer Kinchegashvili of Georgia in the semifinals, 8-4, to dash all medal hopes for Dennis.
World No. 1 Kinchegashvili seeks his second gold in a row against Cinderella story Rei Higuchi of Japan who had a remarkable morning of his own.
Men’s freestyle competition will resume at 3 p.m. (ET) today with the repechage rounds and medal matches at 57 kg and 74 kg.
Every match from the 2016 Olympic Games can be viewed live courtesy of NBC at NBCOlympics.com. Complete brackets and match-by-match results can be found at unitedworldwrestling.org.
2016 OLYMPIC GAMES
Aug. 14-21 at Carioca Arena 2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Finals Matchups
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Gold – Vladimer Khinchegahsvili (Georgia) vs. Rei Higuchi (Japan)
Bronze – Vladimir Dubov (Bulgaria) vs. Repechage 1 Winner
Repechage 1 – Haji Aliev (Azerbaijan) vs. Nurisiam Sanayev (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Hassan Rahimi (Iran) vs. Repechage 2 Winner
Repechage 2 – Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba) vs. Repechage 1 Winner
Repechage 1 – Kyong-Il Yang (DPR Korea) vs. Asaduila Lachinau (Belarus)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Aniuar Geduev (Russia) vs. Hassan Yazdanicharati (Iran)
Bronze – Yabrail Hasanov (Azerbaijan) vs. Repechage 1 Winner
Repechage 1 – Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze – Galimzhan Usserbaev (Kazakhstan) vs. Repechage 1
Repechage 1 – Soener Demirtas (Turkey) vs. Asnage Castelly (Haiti)
U.S. men’s freestyle results
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
LOSS Vladimir Dubov (Bulgaria), 11-0
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids/Nebraska WTC)
WIN Augusto Midana (Guinea Bissau), 8-3
LOSS Aniuar Geduev (Russia), 3-2
