#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT: Olympic Champion Steveson Wins First World Title

By United World Wrestling Press

Gable STEVESON (USA) became an overnight sensation after winning a thrilling final and the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics with wins over former world champions Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Taha AKGUL (TUR). The American was trailing Petriashvili in the 125kg final in Tokyo but scored two takedowns in the final 10 seconds to win the coveted Olympic title at the age of 21.

But a three-time age-group world champion has a habit of punching about his weight. In 2015, a 15-year-old Steveson made a stunning run at the Cadet World Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and won the gold medal with a 9-0 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB). He outscored his opponents 47-12.

Since then he won the 2016 cadet world title, 2017 junior world title, 2021 senior Pan-Am Championships gold and the Tokyo Olympics gold with just the 2018 Junior World Championships being a lackluster event for him. The defending champion there finished fifth as Rakhimov avenged his loss from 2015 with a pin.

#wrestlebishkek

WATCH: 10 freestyle finals from #WrestleBishkek

By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (June 9) -- The third Ranking Series event of the year, Kaba Uulu Kozhomkul & Raatbek Sanatbaev, concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan last week. With different wrestlers winning gold medals, there were a few changes in the ranking as well.

Kyrgyzstan and Georgia won three gold medals each in freestyle and remained the top two teams in the competition.

Watch all the 10 freestyle finals from Bishkek.

GOLD: 57kg - Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) vs. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)