2023 World Wrestling Champion Exposes US Opponent’s Shocking “Disrespectful” Antics After Handing Him Silver

Sportspersons are usually very charged up while they are on the field. While this may translate into a little bit of rugged behavior, sometimes they get rough and disrespectful on purpose. A similar incident was quoted by the 2023 World Wrestling Champion in the 74kg category after his gold medal win against America’s defending champion. 

The new 74kg world wrestling champ claimed to have been disrespected by his US counterpart when he extended his hand for a shake. A social media post showcases a video clip where the Russian wrestler spoke up about the issue. Apparently, he broke the US wrestler’s 4x winning streak, which may have triggered the behavior. In fact, this was the second time the Russian denied the US wrestler a gold after the Tokyo Olympics.

Kyle Dake’s sore act after losing World Wrestling Championship

Russian wrestling giant Zaurbek Sidakov entered the 2023 World Wrestling Championship at Belgrade under a neutral flag. The 74kg weight class wrestler made his first world appearance after his gold medal in 2019. This was also the year after which US wrestling phenom Kyle Dake shifted from the 79kg to the 74kg category. While Dake replaced Sidakov, he had never annexed his territory, and only had it to himself for a limited time. Naturally, Dake suffered a defeat against his Russian counterpart, and his four-year dominance was immediately shattered.

However, this didn’t sit well with the US wrestler, who is said to have behaved disrespectfully towards Sidakov after the match ended. A tweet by FloWrestling on X featured a clip where an interviewer questioned Sidakov about Dake’s behavior.

The interviewer asked, “What was going through your mind during the match closer to the end when he was trying to push you badly out of the mat?” The Russian wrestler replied, “Well, this usually happens on the mat. Just little things, but such a thing as not properly shaking my hand and slapping it the way he did. But, that’s fine.” Despite this, Sidakov showed humility and said he respects all his opponents regardless of their behavior.

Zaurbek Sidakov with the words of a true champ

Speaking about his mentality and conduct towards his opponents, Sidakov said, “Well, I’d like to say that I respect all my opponents equally, even regardless that I felt that he carried himself slightly disrespectfully towards myself. I always try and I do my best to show respect to everyone either on the mat. Also, out of the mat, in life. And, that’s why I believe that God was standing on my side today and he helped me to get this victory.” The Russian champion said these words after denying Kyle Dake a gold medal a second time.

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Zaurbek Sidakov and Kyle Dake also crossed each other’s paths at the Tokyo Olympics. While Dake ended his Tokyo campaign with a bronze medal, Sidakov stood on top of the world with e the gold medal. However, Kyle Dake faced his opponents after cutting his weight down by 5kgs. Although he didn’t win the Olympics, he put up a good front at world championships, till Sidakov returned. Will Kyle Dake ever be able to overcome his Russian nemesis?

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