Iowa native, Joe Colon, went from back up to wrestling for a bronze medal in his first senior World Championships appearance.
Colon won his first bout of the day coming from behind to win 9-6 over Ukraine’s Ivan Bileichuk. He went down early have a huge four-pointer but was able to score a reversal and turn to close the gap to 4-3. Down 6-4 after the break, Colon broke it open forcing a stepout and firing off two takedown to win 9-6.
In the quarterfinals it was all Colon. Facing the 2013 World bronze medalist, Colon wasted little time securing a takedown and gut to go up 4-0. He followed that up with a four point throw and finished the match by tech after a takedown.
Colon then would face, 2017 World bronze medalist Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez of Cuba in the semifinals. This time there was no comeback as Bonne went out to a 9-0 lead with a series of takedowns and throws. Though Colon was able to score off a reversal and takedown it wasn’t enough as he would fall 9-4 in the semis.
We will have to wait until tomorrow to find out his bronze medal opponent but it will be either Ivan Guidea (Romania) or Mohammadba Yakhkeshi (Iran).