Neutral Athlete’s Impenetrable Defense Seals World Championship Victory Against USA’s Wrestling Titan

The 2023 Wrestling World Championship is currently underway and has already created a buzz among the spectators. Spanning from 16th to 24th September, the championships have asserted every element to keep the adrenaline flowing. To add the thrill to the finals, Russian wrestler, Zaurbek Sidakov, who entered the arena as a neutral contender, overtook American Kyle Dake to clinch the gold.

On 18th September, both seasoned world champions navigated the fiercely competitive 74-kilogram bracket in Belgrade, which culminated in eagerness for the world finals. With a dramatic 17-point thriller, Sidakov secured the victory and trounced Dake in the showdown. But this isn’t the only thing that is making the headlines. Along with Sidakov’s triumph, his defense also made many heads turn his way.

Zaurbek Sidakov’s defensive tactics catch the spotlight

The world watched the winners live on 18th September, but on September 22, 2023, Dan Sweeney took to his Twitter handle and shared a new snippet from the Dake vs. Sidakov’s final match. The post highlighted Winner’s skillful use of a left-arm over-tie snap.

The video highlighted how expertly he executed it to clear Dake’s right collar tie. It vividly showcased this remarkable feat of elite hand fighting. While Dake secured the only point in the first period with a step out, the second period witnessed a remarkable 16-point exchange between the two champions.

The caption reads, “Zaurbek Sidakov repeatedly using a left-arm over-tie snap to clear Dake’s right collar tie. Did it at least 17 times in their finals match. One key detail is the head dip which loosens Dake’s collar tie & allows it to slip off as the snap occurs. Elite handfighting!”

However, this was just the tip of the iceberg in this thrilling wrestling showdown. There’s much more that took the wrestling world ablaze.

What’s more in Zaurbek Sidakov and Kyle Dake’s match?

Sidakov’s triumph unfolded with an early takedown, followed by an additional point because of an expired activity clock. Dake countered with a takedown of his own, temporarily taking the lead on criteria with a 3-3 score.

In the final minute of action, Sidakov returned to his outside step, resulting in an incredible 11-point exchange between the two wrestlers. When the dust settled, it was Sidakov whose hand was raised, securing a memorable 10-7 victory.

After the match, Dake, 32, reflected on their thrilling battle. His journey at 74kg included world golds in the past two years following his Tokyo Olympic bronze. Additionally, he claimed world titles at 79kg in 2018 and 2019, despite it not being an Olympic weight category.

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On the other hand, Sidakov, 27, clinched Tokyo Olympic gold and two world titles in 2018 and 2019 at 74kg. These histories took a sweet, bitter turn and, the world received its final winner in the championship. This thrilling clash left an indelible mark on the wrestling world and fans are eager to see more such clashes in the future.

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