Tony Cassioppi had a dominating tournament in winning the U23 World Freestyle Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Cassioppi stormed through 125kg competition with two pins and two shutouts. After a first round pin and a 7-0 decision, Cassioppi won a hard fought 5-0 decision over Magomedov of Russia in the semifinals. That was an intense match.
In the finals Cassioppi racked up a 9-0 lead before securing the fall in 2:44 over Khosonov of Greece to become a U23 World champion. Cassioppi was the only world champion for Team USA and one of only two medalists.
Cassioppi has really transformed his body and looks very different at 250 lbs. I am excited to see how he does this season for the Hawks.
Myles Wilson won his first match at 86kg 7-0 before dropping a 7-4 decision. His opponent then did not make the finals and Wilson was eliminated from the tournament. This was a solid showing for Wilson who has really developed over the last year.
Cassioppi, from Roscoe, Illinois, placed third in the country last year at Hwt. and was named as an All American in 2020. Wilson, from Junction, Colorado, was 3-0 last season and was named for the Coaches Appreciation Award.
Former Iowa Hawkeye All American Sammy Brooks of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club was in the corner coaching for Cassioppi and Wilson.
Iowa Wrestling kicks off the 2021-2022 season with a home dual meet against #22 Princeton on Friday, November 19 at 7 PM CST in front of over 14,000 fans.
U23 World Freestyle Championships in Belgrade, Sebia
125 kg: Anthony Cassioppi (Roscoe, Ill./Hawkeye WC), gold medal
WIN Martin Simonyan (Armenia), fall 5:55
WIN Paris Karepri (Albania), 7-0
WIN Saipudin Magomedov (Russia), 5-0
WIN Azamat Khosonov (Greece), fall 2:44
86 kg: Myles Wilson (Junction, Colo./Hawkeye WC), dnp/12th
WIN Cezary Sadowski (Poland), 7-0
LOSS Mher Markosyan (Armenia), 7-4
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
