Diakomihalis '22 Defeated by Former Olympic Gold Medalist at 11th Beat the Streets
SOURCE: cornellbigred.com
September 19, 2020

 



ITHACA, N.Y. - Big Red wrestling junior Yianni Diakomihalis was narrowly defeated by 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Vladimer Khinchegashvili, on Thursday night, losing via criteria, 4-4. Diakomihalis and Khinchegashvili headlined the six-match card at the 11th annual Beat the Streets fundraiser, held on the Hudson River waterfront looking out at the New York City skyline.

First Period:
Diakomihalis fired off a number of shots in the first, getting as far as having one arm in on a single leg on Khinchegashvili. With 1:55 remaining the in the first, Diakomihalis found the ankle of Khinchegashvili and was close to a takedown, but the Georgia native exposed Diakomihalis' back for two points before the Big Red junior scored one on a reversal. Diakomihalis looked to score on a leg lace, but was unable to turn the former Olympic champ. At the end of the first period, Khinchegasvili led Diakomihalis, 2-1.

Second Period:
Khinchegashvili quickly shot in on the leg of Diakomihalis to start the second period, but it was well defended to prevent the takedown. Diakomihalis' deficit grew to 4-1 after he went for a throw by with nearly 2:00 remaining and was caught for a takedown. Following the restart, Diakomihalis quickly earned those points back with his first takedown of the match, grabbing the far ankle of Khinchegashvili and converting the double leg. Technical scrambling ensued for nearly the remainder of the match before a step-out by Khinchegashvili tied the bout on the scoreboard, 4-4. Without enough time left on the clock to take the lead, Diakomihalis was defeated via criteria due to the pair of two-point moves by Khinchegasvili (exposure and takedown).


With the loss, Diakomihalis moves to 22-5 in senior level freestyle matches, with Khinchegashvili becoming the first foreign wrestler to defeat the young phenom. Diakomihalis previously held an 11-0 against foreign opponents, headlined by a 10-8 over India's Bajrang Punia at Beat the Streets in 2019.


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