Takedown Report

Johnson Downed by Armenia; USA Finishes 2023 World Championships

Only one American athlete suited up for the fourth and final day of Greco-Roman in Belgrade. Xavier Johnson (63 kg, Army/WCAP) had gone 1-1 on Saturday following a destructive victory over India’s Vikram Kurade and a defeat to recent World medalist Murad Mammadov (AZE). But because Mammadov advanced to the gold-medal match, Johnson was back in action this morning with a chance to, potentially, compete for bronze. Given his opposition in the opening repechage round, it was going to be a difficult challenge.

Repechage on Day 4 of the 2023 World Championships began at 4:30pm local time from Belgrade, Serbia and aired live in the US on FLOWrestling.

Johnson needed to get past two-time U23 World bronze Hrachya Poghosyan but the bout quickly unraveled in the Armenian’s favor after an early takedown. Poghosyan was able to secure a lift that netted four points from the ensuing par terre and closed Johnson out with a gutwrench for two more. Poghosyan will face Georgi Tibilov (SRB) for bronze.

Johnson, 27, enjoyed a strong comeback season on the heels of a two-year absence in the wake of the All-Marine Team’s practical dissolution as a program, for whom he had previously competed. With still plenty of promise remaining in his wrestling aspirations, Johnson left the Marines in order to join Army/WCAP. An injury temporarily disrupted his return this year but a solid performance at the Nationals coupled with a triumph at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament propelled him right back towards the top. Johnson then took two straight matches from multi-time National Champion Hayden Tuma (Suples) at Final X: Newark, which resulted in his making the Senior World Team for a first time.

Notes and other insights from the 2023 World Championships will be available in the forthcoming Monday Roundup. 

2023 WC DAY 1 RECAP 
2023 WC DAY 2 RECAP
2023 WC DAY 3 RECAP

2023 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

September 21-24 — Belgrade, SRB

TEAM USA DAY 4 RESULTS

63 kg: Xavier Johnson (Army/WCAP)
LOSS Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) 8-0, TF

TEAM USA FULL RESULTS
*Placings will be updated as they become official

55 kg: Brady Koontz (TMWC/Dubuque RTC) — 10th
WON Jeon Hyeokjin (KOR) 7-3
LOSS Denis Mihai (ROU) 9-0, TF … rest of story at … Fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/2023-worlds-day-4-xavier-johnson/Wrestling+News

September 28, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized