#OffTheMat

A Day in the Life: Olympic champion David Taylor

By Eric Olanowski

PENNSYLVANIA, United States (May 10) --- Olympic champion David TAYLOR (USA) took viewers on a captivating journey through a day in his life as a wrestler — from his intense training regime to his life outside the wrestling hall.

At 11:05, Taylor arrived at ‘K2 Roots’, a business he runs with his wife Kendra in State College, PA since 2017. Taylor dropped in K2 Roots for juice, coffee and to help behind the counter.

Taylor arrived at Penn State University for practice which began at 13:30. He focused on working through some positions, going through drills while wrestling with four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA).

The Penn State hall had seven current and former world and Olympic medalists practicing simultaneously. This includes Taylor, Dake, Kyle SNYDER (USA), Thomas GILMAN (USA), Jake VARNER (USA), Cael SANDERSON (USA) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

After practice, at 17:50, Taylor headed home for his birthday party.

After cutting the birthday cake cut, Dake and Taylor moved downstairs to play a game of pool. He explained his brotherly relationship with Dake and his family as they both chase Olympic glory.

For the record, Dake won the pool game.

The day is not done yet as Taylor leaves for the M2 Training Center in State College at 19:10. Taylor created it to help wrestlers learn and achieve their goals on and off the mat. The curriculum, technique, and training are all based on what Taylor has done in the past and what he is doing today as he pursues his international wrestling goals.

He turned coach for young wrestlers, pushing them for practice and techniques like finishing and defending leg attacks.

Taylor is a world and Olympic champion, but there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes which he shares in the video.

#WrestlePontevedra

U23 World Championships Day 1

By Vinay Siwach

PONTEVEDRA, Spain (October 17) -- The U23 World Championships begins in Pontevedra with five Greco-Roman weight classes in action. Wrestlers from 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will be on the mat for day one of the tournament.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

13:45: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) with a late takedown to pull off a 4-2 win over Rassul ZHUNIS (KAZ) in the 77kg quarterfinals. In the next match, Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) scores a stepout to win 2-1 against Akylbek TALANTBEKOV (KGZ)

13:25: Denis MIHAI (ROU) moves closer to winning his first gold medal of the year. After missing out on the U20 world and European Championships, he moves into the semifinal at the U23 Worlds.

12:55: That's the big upset of the day. U20 world champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) continues his impressive year with another big win. He goes past Oslo world champion Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) 7-1 at 130kg. Yousofi got the par terre first but Vyshnyvetskyi locked his arm for two. In the second period, he extended his lead to 3-1 before a last-second four-pointer got him the win 

12:25: Maksat SAILAU (KAZ) with a bear hug against Sunil KUMAR (IND) and then keeps him down for a fall at 87kg. That came out of nowhere from Sailau.

12:00: U20 world bronze medalist Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) begins with a commanding 8-0 win over Sajan BHANWALA (IND). This is the sixth tournament of the year for the U20 European champion.

11:45: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)  Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) and it's Amoyan who has been called passive in the first period. He is up 1-0 but can't get the turn from par terre. In the second period, Amoyan is on the top but he also fails to get any turn. 1-1 criteria lead for Amoyan. He will hang on for the 1-1 win

11:30: Idris IBAEV (GER) continues his good form from the senior world championships and begins his defense of the 77kg gold medal with an 11-2 win over Davit SOLOGASHVILI (GEO) 

11:00: Returning silver medalist Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) got a turn from par terre while Ahmet TASKINOGLU (TUR) failed to do so and Dad Marz wins the 55kg bout 3-1.

10:55: U20 world champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) takes no time in winning by fall over Marin NISHIMURA (JPN) at 130kg.

10:50: World champion from Oslo at 130kg Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) up against Paul MORALES (MEX). Yousofi keeps it a low affair and wins 6-0

1030: Welcome to Pontevedra. A rainy day here in the east coast city in Spain but the wrestlers are ready for their bouts.