PECS, Hungary — The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club’s B.J. Futrell claimed the 61kg/134-pound silver medal at the World University Championships on Wednesday (July 9). Futrell, who has claimed medals in both career overseas freestyle appearances, posted a 3-1 record at the event.
Futrell dropped a 12-11 heartbreaker against Mongolia’s Tuvsingtulga Tumenbileg in the 61kg championship match after his last-second takedown was overturned on review. The CKWC wrestler found himself in a hole late but scored on a low single leg in the waning seconds to pull within one before striking deep on another at the buzzer. The mat referee awarded him a takedown on the edge and the call was confirmed, but the Mongolia corner challenged and the points were taken off the board.
Futrell cruised through his earlier matches, outscoring his first two opponents 20-1 before earning a first-period fall in the semifinals. He defeated Moldova’s Vadim Sacultan, 12-0, in the quarterfinals, scoring on five takedowns, including a match-ending four-point throw late in the first period. His semifinal bout was even quicker as his cradled Russia’s Niurgin Skriabin for the early pin.
The United States won the team title, ahead of second-place Turkey and third-place Russia. There were 25 nations entered in the University World Championships. Team USA won seven medals in men’s freestyle at the event out of the eight weight classes.
Futrell will return to the practice room to prepare for the U.S. World Team Trials, scheduled for July 24, in Fargo, N.D.
