These Future Stars Stood Out At U17 World Championships
These Future Stars Stood Out At U17 World Championships
The three wrestlers from the U17 World Championships that impressed JD Rader the most.
From Gable Steveson to Hassan Yazdani, the U17 World Championships is often times a great chance for the world to see future World and Olympic champions for the first time. However, we also see U17 World champions that don't go on to even compete in Senior level Worlds for whatever reason. This year was likely no different.
Below are three wrestlers who, based on their performance in Jordan, I think have a legitimate chance at being Senior World and Olympic medalists and even champions when their time comes down the road.
92 kg - Konstantine Petriashvili, Georgia
First up I have to mention Konstantine Petriashvili - the little brother of recent Olympic champion Geno Petriashvili. Obviously, he’s got the pedigree to be a future great and now he’s got the results to bolster that prediction as well. After taking bronze at U17 Worlds last year, he outscored opponents 36-9 en route to the title at 92 kg. His closest match was a 7-5 win over USA’s Elijah Diakomihalis in round one.
He’s not the most polished technician, but the potential is there. His shot entry especially could use some work, but he’s got good defense and chain wrestling. The best examples of his defense came at the 3 minute and 7 minute mark in his finals match below.
60 kg - Omurbek Asan Uulu, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan as a team had a great performance. They had three champs and took 3rd place as a team, but the team MVP for me was Omurbek Asan Uulu. He dominated everyone after his first match en route to the title at 60 kg. He also won Asian U17 Asian gold this year and last year and U15 Asian gold in 2022. At the Asian Championships this year he outscored his opponents 34-0.
He kind of wrestles like an Iranian. He loves the right side underhook and moves his opponents all over the mat. He also has a nice elbow bump slide by and shuck by to that side. If he can’t get all the way around with it, he’ll transition to two-on-one.
His closest match in this tournament came against Japan. Fast forward to the 5:05 mark in the video below. While winning 2-2 with 37 seconds to go, Uulu pressures in for a stepout, but Japan hits a beautiful whizzer kick. However, somehow Uulu has the body control to pivot on his head and only give up two. He then quickly locks up a body lock on the restart and bombs Japan for four to win.
Uulu’s semifinal against Jordyn Raney
Uulu’s final against Azerbaijan
110 kg - Michael Mocco, USA
Last up we have USA’s Michael Mocco. The son of 2X NCAA champion, Dan Hodge Trophy Award winner, and Olympian Steve Mocco, he’s got the pedigree to be a great as well. I’m normally a little hesitant to predict a U17 heavyweight will transition to the senior level once their peers’ physical maturity catches up. However, Mocco doesn’t just use his athleticism to win. He’s got the technical skills to go along with the physical abilities. The Florida native used ankle picks, low singles, snaps, go behinds, wrist snaps, turns, and more en route to absolutely dominating the field 47-6. Do yourself a favor and watch his entire run below. It doesn’t take too long.
