John Fuller/USA Wrestling
Izmir, Turkey – Harry Lester (Akron, Ohio/Northern Michigan Univ./Sunkist Kids) won his final match at the 2005 World University Games on Tuesday evening in the Ozel Yamanlar High School Sports Hall. Unfortunately, that final match was for a bronze medal, not gold.
Lester defeated 2005 Junior Asian Championships bronze medalist Ashkat Dilmukhamedov of Kazakhstan (7-1, 4-1) to win the bronze at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
In the first period, neither wrestler scored in the first minute. Lester locked into the 30-second clinch first. As usual, Lester dazzled the crowed with a three-point throw before forcing Dilmukhamedov out of bounds for a 4-0 lead. Dilmukhamedov scored one point on a gut wrench in his 30-second clinch, but Lester reversed him and then scored two more exposure points.
In the second period, Dilmukhamedov took the first lead after forcing Lester out of bounds. This time, Dilmukhamedov clinched first, but he could not score on Lester, tying the match at 1-1. In Lester’s 30-second clinch, he again lifted Dilmukhamedov and threw him for three points and the win.
“I felt like I should have been in the gold-medal match tonight,” Lester said after his win. “But I was still happy to get the competition. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the World Championships in a month, so getting two competitions in at this time is a good way to fine tune my offense and lifts.”
Lester will now travel to the Pytlasinski Tournament in Poland where he will weigh-in on Thursday, August 18 for competition on August 19.
The final three Greco-Roman weight classes, 60 kg/132 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs., will be competed on Wednesday. The Mat.com will provide complete coverage and results.
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