Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) became the first Mexican wrestler to reach the World Championships final.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 31) -- Spencer LEE (USA) knows he was in trouble in the 57kg semifinals against Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), having fallen 10-3 behind. Bazaganov used a tram-arm gut to turn Lee four time to take the lead.
However, as Bazarganov was completed the fourth turn, Lee stepped over and blocked the Azerbaijan wrestler before getting the fall while being 10-5 down.
"I need to be better tomorrow," said Lee, the Paris Olympic silver medalist who confirmed his first senior World Championships medal in his second appearance.
He will face Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) for the gold medal after the Mexican became the first-ever wrestler to make it to the final of the senior World Championships. Bravo Young defeated returning world champion Chongsong HAN (PRK), 4-1.
"I've known I was that good, it was just a matter of time," Bravo Young said after reaching the historic final. "I worked really hard, I feel good.
While Lee has defeated Bravo Young twice in intenrational wrestling, the Mexico wrestler hopes that he will able to put on a tougher fight.
"Just let it rip," he said aboutt the final. "I've wrestled him before. I know I can hang with these guys. It doesn't matter about my performance. It was just win and move on. I beat two people that I lost to last year."
The United States managed two more finalists on Saturday with defending champion at 92kg Trent HIDLAY (USA) pulling off a thrilling 11-8 win over Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), coming back from six points behind before pulling off the win.
Hidlay was down 8-2 when he got a takedown and used a leg lace to turn Firouzpour two times to make it 8-8 with the Iranian leading on criteria. But he pressured Firouzpour to give one more takedown to take a 10-8 lead.
Firouzpour waited for the last second to find a way to score a match-winning takedown but as he tried to jump over Hidlay, the U.S. wrestler blocked him and planted him outside the zone to score one point and make the score 11-8 and enter his second straight World Championships final.
The 92kg final will be a rematch of 2025 World Championships final as Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) posted a close 3-2 win over Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) in the other semifinals. He Both scored a takedown but Gadzhimagomedov had an extra stepout to win.
Hidlay and Gadzhimagomedov were invovlved in a barn-burner last year with the former coming out on top 12-8.
The other U.S. wrestler to reach the final was Levi HAINES (USA) who just about held a 3-3 criteria win over Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) in the semifinals.
Haines took a 1-0 lead after Olonbayar was put on the activity clock but the Mongolian fired back with a takedown and one point for Haines' passivity. But with 40 seconds left, Haines got a takedown on the edge to lead on criteria that he defended.
He will face four-time world medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) who defeated Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 9-5, to enter his third World Championships final.
RESULTS
57kg
SF 1: Spencer LEE (USA) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), via fall (5-10)
SF 2: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) df. Chongsong HAN (PRK), 4-1
74kg
SF 1: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), 3-1
SF 2: Inalbek SHERIEV (RUS) df. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 3-1
79kg
SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 9-5
SF 2: Levi HAINES (USA) df. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL), 3-3
92kg
SF 1: Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 3-2
SF 2: Trent HIDLAY (USA) df. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), 11-8
Senior World Championships • Astana, Kazakhstan