OSLO, Norway – The three U.S. Greco-Roman entries in Group Three of the Greco-Roman tournament at the Senior World Championships were defeated in their first matches on Saturday morning. All three were competing in the first Senior World Championships of their career.
Alan Vera lost in an 8-0 technical fall to 2021 European Junior champion Turpal-Ali Bisultanov of Denmark at 87 kg. Vera was hit for passivity to put Bisultanov up 1-0. Bisultanov hit a gut wrench to make it 3-0, then followed up with a lift near the edge. Vera seemingly blocked the throw, but officials awarded Bisultanov a point for the lift, then a caution and two points for fleeing the mat, to make it 6-0. Bisultanov finished the match off with one more turn from par terre.
Bisultanov won his next two matches to qualify for the semifinals, where he will face No. 1 seed and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Zurabi Datunashvili of Serbia. Bisultanov must win his semifinals bout against Datunishvili for Vera to be eligible for repechage. Only those who lost to a finalist are eligible for the repechage.
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