SOURCE: cornellbigred.com

August 15, 2023

AMMAN, Jordan - United States World Team member and incoming Cornellian Meyer Shapiro defeats Ali Aghouzgeleh (Iran) to secure the U20 World Wrestling Championships gold medal in the 70kg weight class. In his corner was The David Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Cornell Wrestling Mike Grey, along with four-time NCAA Champion and World Silver Medalist Yianni Diakomihalis. Shapiro stacked takedowns throughout his run, outscoring the field by a total of 47-10.



The finals bout came down to grit, as Shapiro surrendered two early takedowns to the Iranian grappler, and found himself in a 4-0 hole. He got himself on the board with a push out, which would be followed up by seven unanswered tallies, including three takedowns. Meyer found himself in the drivers seat leading 8-4 with just over one-minute left in the match. Ali pulled off a timely takedown to cut the lead to two. In freestyle wrestling, there is no overtime, so an additional takedown would have given Aghouzgeleh the lead by criteria. Although leading by two, Shapiro needed to finish the match strong in order to find himself on the top of the podium. Another crafty push out, followed by a much needed takedown, was enough for Meyer to secure the decision and claim the U20 World Wrestling Championship (Freestyle) in the 70kg weight-class.



Meyer will join the Big Red on the mat this upcoming season, and add to a talented squad led by Coach Grey that finished first in the EIWA, and third at the NCAA National Championships last season.