#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.

#WrestleKrasnoyarsk

The Return of Rassadin and the Breakthrough of Baltuev 

By Russian Wrestling Federation

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 27) -- The international freestyle wrestling tournament "'22 Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin" started today. The finalists for 57kg, 61kg and 70kg. were reported by www.wrestrus.ru.

At 57kg, Olympic champion Zaur UGUEV (RUS) was released from the competition. In his absence, the champion of Russia in 2019, Ramiz GAMZATOV(RUS) and Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS), who performed brilliantly in juniors, reached the final. It will not be easy to name the favorite in this confrontation, the chances of the athletes are equal.

In the 61kg weight class, the world's weight leader, the current world and European champion Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) confidently reached the final, where he'll face Fedor BALTUEV, who is full of determination. He had a rather bright day today, and in the semi-finals in the match with the representative of Kyrgyzstan, Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV, where he pulled out a victory in the last seconds. Of course, Magomedov looks like the favorite, but Baltuev will strive to create the main sensation of the tournament.

Some time ago, there were active rumors that Viktor RASSADIN (RUS)  was close to the end of his career. Today, he proved that he is still ready for exploits on the carpet - Rassadin will compete in the finals of the Yarygin tournament at 70kg. His opponent will be Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS), who started quite brightly on the mat. In 2016, he became the closest wrestler to pick up a victory over Soslan RAMONOV (RUS), but up to this point he still has not reached serious results. Tomorrow he has a big chance to become the winner of the Yarygin Memorial.

Friday's Final Matchups:
57kg:
Ramiz GAMZATOV
(RUS) vs. Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS),
61kg. Fedor BALTUEV (RUS) vs. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS)
70kg. Victor RASSADIN vs. Anzor ZAKUEV

Fedorova, Sokolova, Isakova, Ologonova and Tsyrempilova Reach Day One Finals​​​​​​

On the women's side of the competition, the preliminary and semi-final matches were held for 50kg, 55kg, 59kg and 65kg.

Women's Wrestling Finals:
50kg. Anzhelika FEDOROVA (RUS) vs. Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RUS)
55 kg. Ekaterina ISAKOVA (RUS) vs. Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS)
59 kg. Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA (RUS) vs. Tatyana KOLESNIK (AZE)
65 kg. Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs. Emma Patricia BRUNTIL (USA)

For up to date news, highlights results from this year's Ivan Yariguin, visit www.wrestrus.ru.