Yesterday was a tough act to follow, but Day 3 in Budapest promises the first matches from James Green and Kyle Snyder plus the gold medal matches for Kyle Dake and J'den Cox as well as Thomas Gilman's bronze medal match. Plus the women get their tournament started. Jacarra Winchester and Jenna Burkert kick things off for Team USA"s distaff squad. 

Men's Freestyle Previews: 70 | 97

Hope everyone is enjoying the very, very early morning stateside. For me, its all about the caffeine at this point. I am like Popeye with his spinach. With every sip of java I grow stronger!

We starting the day with repechage for 57, 65, 79 and 92. No Americans in the wrestlebacks for those weights but Gilman will see the winner between the 3 other guys in his repechage. In the first 57 repechage match, Josh Failauga, a 17-year-old from American Samoa, just beat Armen Arakelian of Ukraine but taking him down and driving him into the mat so hard that Arakelian had to injury default out. Failauga will wrestle Suleyman Atli of Turkey next, and the winner of that match will wrestle Gilman for bronze later today. Gilman beat Atli a few months ago at the Yasar Dogu tournament 7-5. 

Atli beat the young American Samoan via 10-0 tech fall, so Gilman will get a rematch with Atli for bronze. 

70 Kilograms - MFS

James Green vs Khadzhimurad Gadzhiyev

Green's first opponent is still junior eligible, but he's a junior world champ who beat a vwry strong bracket, so this will be no easy match for James. In the first minute, Green is driving Gadzhiyev (KG) to the edge, but then snaps him down to go behind for two as Green times his move perfectly. It's 2-0 for Green. KG gets in on a single and then works his way up the ladder to get two for himself. It's 2-2, AZE with criteria but it's still very early. Not much beyond hand fighting for the rest of the period and we go to the break still 2-2. 

We start the second period and the hand fighting resumes. James checks a shot from KG then tries another snap down go behind but KG recovers in time to stop that attack. A massive blast double from Green sends KG crashes to the mat, just barely avoiding a feet-to-back. Green transitions right into a lace and picks up to more. Big sequence for green as he goes up 6-2 with 1:45 to go in the match. KG fires back with a double of his own and now its 6-4. KG can't turn Green so they'll go to their feet but a 2 point move would give KG criteria advantage. 60 seconds to go. Green gives up a step out with 45 on the clock. It's 6-5 Green, 30 seconds left. Green playing defense, KG chasing. The ref wants to give Green a caution and 1 but it's white paddled. Green still would've had criteria but you could still feel the Americans clench up when that ref's thumb went up. Green still dancing, and time will run out on the Azerbaijani. Green wins a near-run match 6-5.

Green will likely see Mongolia next, who is ranked #20 but I don't think will be as tough as Gadzhiyev. Team USA needs major points from Green for the team race so that win was big. 

James Green vs Byambadorj Bat-erdene

James opponent, Byambadorj Bat-erdene (BB), is the second Mongolia for Team USA today. Snyder had a tougher than expected match with his Mongolian. No scores after a minute in Green's second match of the day. Arm drag for James misses. BB hits a headlock that does land after first but on a second effort BB gets an exposure for two. Green counters with a double after the restart but BB has some great hips and avoids the takedown. It's 2-0 with a minute left in the first. Green looks for an opening but doesn't risk a shot and the period ends James trailing 2-0. 

BB had a much easier time in his first match, winning by 10-0 against Iraq in the first period. Green pulls the trigger on a double but again, BB's hips to too heavy and he pulls Green's hands up and they're back in neutral. Less than 2 minutes to go. BB crowding James, trying to keep him from operating in space. But once Green gets some space he fires one off and double BB for two, nearly getting the four point as they come crashing down on the mats out of bounds. 60 seconds left in the match. 30 seconds. Go behind with 15 seconds and Green can't quadpod out of it. He hits the mat and gives up the go-ahead two points as time runs out in par terre. Devastating way to lose. Green will have to hope Mongolia beats the favorite, Gazimagomedov next round (assuming Gazi beats Garcia of Canada). 

Bat-Erdene (Mongolia) has Gazimagomedov (Russia). right now in the quarterfinals. Green needs a win by Mongolia, and then another in the semifinals, to get pulled into the repechage and have a shot at a bronze medal. Bat-Erdene trails 1-0 at the break. Mongolia gives up a go-behind and then two more on a desperation lat drop attempt in the final seconds to lose 5-0. James Green's tournament is over. 

97 Kilograms - MFS

Kyle Snyder vs Batzul Ulziisaikhan

Captain America starts his day with an unranked Mongolian, Batzul Ulziisaikhan (BU). Snyder starts off aggressive but Mongolia backs out of danger, though the refs ding the Mongolian for passivity. A shot from BU gets a leg of Snyder and BU picks up a step out point and the lead, 1-0. More shots from Snyder and more backing away from BU and Mongolia goes on the shot clock. Nothing from BU and Snyder gets the point and the lead via criteria. Time expires in the first and it's still 1-1.

The second period begins and its more attacks from Kyle and more backing up from BU. But Mongolia reattacks and gets another leg and this time he converts for two and a 3-1 leads. Kyle answers with a single leg from short offense that he converts and we're tied again, 3-3, but Snyder with Criteria. Snyder keeps attacking and is rewarded with a step out point. Its 4-3 for Snyder now with 90 seconds on the clock. Constant pressure from Snyder and BU is wilting. Snyder gets another takedown at the 60 second mark, basically by pushing BU over at the boundary. Ankle pick from Snyder with 30 seconds on the clock and it's 8-3. A weak shot from BU and Kyle stuffs him, kills some clock in the reattack and will win 8-3. 

I don't think many people were expecting Kyle to be losing at any point in the second period but Kyle figured him out with time to spare. It was clear that Mongolia had a well scouted game plan for Kyle and it worked for about 4 minutes, but it wasn't enough.

Kyle Snyder vs Nathaniel Tuamoheloa

Kyle's opponent, Nathaniel Tuamoheloa (NT), should be an easier match than his last. Snyder takes NT down in the first few seconds and then guts him 4 times for the tech fall in 29 seconds. Okay, good job Kyle! He's on to the quarterfinals!

Kyle Snyder vs Abraham De Conyedo

Snyder has Italy in the quarterfinals, although I believe he is originally from Cuba like his Italian teammate, Frank Chamizo. Abraham De Conyedo (ADC) is unranked but he is athletic and has big move potential. Snyder will need to stay on his toes for this one. Snyder gets the first takedown in a classic snap down, chase and cover for two at the edge. ADC comes charging back and gets a step out from, cutting the deficit to one. Another step out tied the score, Snyder holding criteria. High crotch for Snyder and he slips around the side to cover for two and makes it 4-2. Low leg attack for two more and Snyder almost works up for the pin but ADC wriggles out of bounds. They restart with 40 seconds left in the first, score is 6-2 for Snyder. Sweep single now for Snyder, who adjusts back and forth to either side trying to finish but will settle for a step out and one more point to go into the break leading 7-2. 

Second period underway. Single leg for Snyder, he converts after a brief struggle for two more and then again looks to work up for a pin as ADC is slow to belly out. No more points though and they restart with 2 minutes remaining in the match. Snyder keeping the pressure on, gets a step out by ADC but they call it a shove so it's white paddling due to a rule I don't really understand. Snyder gets a single and finishes big, but just for two. He's one point form a tech, leading 11-2. Desperation shot from ADC and Snyder almost gets the go behind but it's stalemated with 7 seconds left. Time runs out and Kyle is into the semis with a dominant 11-2 win!

Snyder's semifinal opponent will be Pavlo Oliinyk of Hungary, formerly of Ukraine. 

Semifinals: Kyle Snyder vs Pavlo Oliinyk

Kyle has wrestled Pavlo before, in the first round of the 2015 World Championships, Kyle's first title. Kyle beat Pavlo 2-1 off two shot clock points and giving up one step out point. It's safe to say that Kyle has improved some since then. 

And on cue, the vuvuzelas release their foul cacophony of bleats when Pavlo walks out in a Hungarian singlet. Snyder walks out to a respectful smattering of American applause. 

A slow match for about a minute but then Snyder lets it rip with a blast double and nearly completes his Jordan Burroughs impression, but Pavlo has quite a long frame and is able to hip down and defend the shot. Another shot from Kyle gets stuffed. Still no score after two minutes and Pavlo will go on the clock. Snyder picks up the shot clock point, then almost gets another on a go behind off a sot from Pavlo. Another shot from Kyle goes nowhere and we head to the break with Kyle up 1-0. Kyle has been doing the majority of the work in the match so far. 

Second period starts and Kyle goes back to work. Snap down opens up a low level shot which grabs, then cracks Pavlo back the other way to convert for two. No turns so it's 3-0 when they go back to neutral. Two minutes remain. Not sure why there was a stoppage but Kyle and Pavlo shake hands, well, slap hands, and we're back in business. The two wrestlers trade shots but no scores and there's a little over a minute left. Approaching 30 seconds and Kyle is killing some clock with a front headlock. Kyle circles out of a tie by the edge of the mat with 15 seconds left and then wrestles through the end of the match Kyle wins 3-0 and will wrestle for gold in the last match of the men's freestyle tournament!

Kyle's opponent? Yep, Abdulrashid Sadulaev beat Odikadze of Georgia to make the finals from the other side of the bracket. We will close out this part of the World Championships with Snyder vs Sadulaev II!

55 Kilograms - WFS

Jacarra Winchester vs Ramona Galambos

Winchester gets a Hungarian in her first match, and the crowd here in Papp Laszlo has been a vocal one. They haven't had much to cheer for though, and hopefully Jacarra keeps it that way. Jacarra goes right to a Russian tie off the whistle, now in collars. A 2 pt takedown gives Jacarra the lead. Galambos get's Jacarra's back but Jacarra uses some serious strength and a whizzer to wrestle out of the hold without giving up any points. A subsequent step out give Galambos her first point of the match. Galambos driving back in but Winchester hip tosses her for four in the middle of the mat. She's going for the pin! Galambos fights off and it's 6-1 Winchester. Snap down go behind makes it 8-1. Some creative work on top gives Winchester two more. It's 10-1, Winchester dominating as the period expires. 

Winchester also apparently got a caution for fleeing on her step out. No more points after a minute down in the second. Collar ties and some attacks but nothing for the scoreboard after another minute, but right after we go under 60 seconds Jacarra ankle picks for the match winning points. Winchester advances with a 12-1 tech fall! Jacarra was the better wrestler technically and physically. 

Winchester will get Kit of Ukraine in the next round. No word on if David Hasselhof will be cornering the Ukranian but we can only assume so.

Jacarra Winchester vs Tetyana Kit

Jacarra trying to join Snyder in the semifinals against Ukraine. No score until the end of the first minute when Jacarra gets in on a leg and locks up a near side cradle, but then breaks her grip to cover and secure the takedown. Kit is a two-time world medalist but Jacarra is controlling ties and the center of the mat right now. Jacarra trying to power through Kit's defense, as Kit is checking down with her shoulder. It earns Kit 30 seconds on the shot clock. Jacarra gets to her leg with the clock still going and scores a takedown, erasing the shot clock and adding two more to her score. It's 4-0 at the break. 

Second period underway. Jacarra stuffs a double from Kit and appears to spin around for two but Kit holds on to an arm and it's white paddled. Back on their feet Jacarra goes back on the offense. Kit keeps holding on to a Russian tie but Jacarra keeps pushing through it, grabbing a leg and getting behind Kit. Once again though Kit barely holds on to avoid another takedown. Jacarra pressuring in and Kit hits her with an armspin. Jacarra avoids the feet to back but the second effort gives Kit the exposure. Kit keeps the arm and traps Jacarra, looking for the fall, but Jaccarra fights off her back and gets a restart. That chews up a lot of clock though and Jacarra is still leading 4-2 with 30 seconds to go. Kit goes back to the armspin but Jacarra is not going to ler her hit it again. They scramble for the rest of the match Jacarra wins, 4-2! Winchester is the second American to make the semifinals and she will wrestle for a medal tomorrow!

Semifinals: Jacarra Winchester vs Zalina Sidakova

Jacarra has Zalina Sidakova from Belarus who Jacarra beat in the first round of the Ukraine Tournament 6-5. No scores after a minute but a couple of good attacks by Winchester. Looked like Zalina tried to hit a merkle and then maybe a lat drop but Jaccara wrestles out of it, almost scoring a go behind takedown in the process. Jacarra will go on the shot clock with 4 minutes on the board. Jacarra looking for a slideby but can't land it and gives up the shot clock point. Nothing else before the end of the period, Jacarra trails 1-0. 

Second period begins, I don't believe we've seen a level change from Zalina yet. Okay there's one, easily defended by Jacarra. Jaccara dives in on a single and get's Zalina's leg but she sprawls in time and fights out of danger. Now with 1:29 on the board, Zalina gets put on the shot clock. Zalina gives up the point as she fires off her best shot yet, eventually earning a step out and taking the lead 2-1 with just under a minute left. 27 now after a restart. Time ticking away and Jacarra is stuck in collar ties. She finally creates some space and fires off a double and finishes with less then a second on the clock. Two points go up and it is confirmed. The score reads 3-2 with no time left on the clock but Belarus wants a challenge. It is close. And the call is overturned. Jacarra falls to Belarus 2-1 and will wrestle for bronze tomorrow evening. 

59 Kilograms - WFS

Jenna Burkert vs Shoovdor Baatarjav

Jenna has another Mongolian, Shoovdor Baatarjav (SB). Jenna defended a nice sweep single attempt by SB and nearly scored on the reattack. No points yet after a minute. SB goes on the shot clock with 4:13 on the board. A shot by Mongolia as the shot clock expires fails and Jenna has the first point of the match. Another shot by SB and but Jenna again defends and winning the positions with physicality and strength. 

Second period involves more collar ties and hand fighting but not much in the way of committed shots. Jenna is warned for passivity with 1:41 remaining in the match. Jenna gets dinged again late in the match and will go on the shot clock with 1:14 left. Jenna fires off a high crotch and gets a single leg and nearly converts but they go out of bounds in a grounded position as the shot clock expires. It's 1-1 with 30 seconds left, Jenna trailing via criteria. Time running out on Jenna as she fires of a desperation shot and she's in on a low single but it's too late and Jenna loses a 1-1 heartbreaker. Mongolia again the bane of America's day 3.

We've got a break in the action and will return for the semifinals 4:45PM Hungarian Time or 10:45 Eastern Time. 

Jacarra's semifinal match is it for Americans in this session. We'll have a new article for the medal matches, which will feature Thomas Gilman, Kyle Dake and J'den Cox. Hope to see you there!