A while back Brent Metcalf did a radio interview for KGYM, and on that program he stated he would be competing in Azerbaijan at the Golden Grand Prix. As crazy as it sounds, with all of the exciting high school action going on in Fargo, Metcalf kind of got lost in all the madness.
But don’t worry, we are here and got you covered.
Metcalf has been doing quite well since FILA has changed the rules from three periods with score resets, to the two three minute cumulative score. For example Metcalf was able to blow through the US Open field in Las Vegas, out scoring opponents 39-0, and later won the World Team Trials for the US.
This event proved to be more of the same for Metcalf, as Metcalf won his quarterfinal with ease in a 9-2 victory over Nuhkadiev of Russia. Next, he faced Haislan of Canada, which proved to be a bit of a tougher match and he only won 2-0.
In the final against Magomed Muslimov (a guy who falls in the middle of the World rankings pack) Metcalf needed some late match heroics to win. Metcalf put himself in a hole early as he was taken down 20 seconds into the match. Metcalf tried to strike back with his high crotch, but it was well defended. After surrendering two more takedowns, Metcalf was looking at an ugly 6-0 hole going into the break. Even though he almost hit another high crotch as time expired.
It was in the second period we saw Metcalf really go to work as he used a front headlock to expose his opponents back on a throw, and a takedown with a minute and a half left to tie the score at 6-6 with the lead in criteria. That was all Metcalf would need as the victory would secure him the gold medal in his final tune up before September’s World Championships.
Here was the link I watched the finals on, fast forward to at least 2:15:00 in.
FILA Official for the results
GOLD: Brent METCALF (USA) df. Magomed MUSLIMOV (AZE), 6-6
Semifinal: Brent METCALF (USA) df. Haislan GARCIA (CAN), 2-0
1/4 Finale: Brent METCALF (USA) df. Murad Abdusalamovitch NUHKADIEV (RUS), 9-2
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