American David Taylor experienced a disappointing start on Wednesday, 30 October, at the prestigious World Wrestling Championships 2024 held in Tirana, Albania, marking his foray into the intense competition.
The celebrated Tokyo 2020 gold medallist competing in the 86kg category faced formidable rival and two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev. In a not-so-favorable outcome for Taylor, Sadulaev dominated decisively with a score of 7-0 during the qualification round of the freestyle 92kg event.
Ahead of this high-stakes championship, Taylor conveyed his eagerness for a face-off against the legendary Sadulaev. In an interview with Olympics.com, he expressed, “I’ve been in a lot of big matches in my life and wrestled all the legends in our sport. And he’s just the one guy I hadn’t got to. So I really want to make it happen.” His anticipation stemmed from a healthy rivalry, as both wrestlers have long been regarded among the finest in the world. Taylor explained, “We’ve been considered two of the best in the world for a while but there’s been that weight class separation and other things. It’s a pretty crazy series of events that have led to us both being in this weight category for this event, a very low statistical probability.”
Despite the setback, Taylor still has a potential pathway to the podium, yet that prospect hinges on favorable outcomes in subsequent bouts. If Sadulaev manages to advance all the way to the finals, the American wrestler would receive the opportunity to compete in the repechage round, which could allow him to vie for a bronze medal.
Following his significant victory over Taylor, Sadulaev continued his upward trajectory with a close 3-1 win against Abubakr Abakarov, demonstrating his unwavering quest for gold.
Now, with his sights set on the quarter-finals, Sadulaev is set to face Germany’s Lars Schaefle as he strives to extend his championship run.
Notably, the 2024 World Championships feature only those wrestlers who did not compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, adding a unique layer of intensity and opportunity for participants.
