Lewis Advances to U23 World Championships Title Match
Nov 26 | Wrestling
Redshirt senior competes for 70 kg title Sunday at noon
BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND – Richie Lewis will represent Rutgers wrestling and Team USA in the 70 kg U23 Freestyle World Championships title match Sunday at noon (6 p.m. local time) against Kumar Vinod (India) in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The redshirt senior advanced to the championship bout after he defeated Zulfikar Makhamatov (Kazakhstan) by decision, 7-2. Sunday's title bout will stream live on Trackwrestling.com ($), with live results provided by Trackwrestling as well as on Twitter by @RUWrestling and @USAWrestling.
Trailing 2-1 to Makhamatov midway through the second and final period of the semifinal match, Lewis registered a takedown and added four additional points for the final 7-2 advantage. In his four matches Sunday afternoon, Lewis outscored his opponents, 42-10, with two tech falls and two decisions.
The Toms River, New Jersey, native advanced to the semifinals after his 14-7 quarterfinal victory over Muhammet Akdeniz (Turkey), who was a 2016 U23 European bronze medalist. Lewis opened the championships with a quick 10-0 tech fall over Caleb Rutner (Canada) in the first round, followed by an 11-1 tech fall against Surkho Rashytkhanau (Belarus) in the Round of 16.
Lewis qualified for the championships after he claimed the 70kg title at the U23 World Team Trials on Oct. 8 in Rochester, Minnesota. The Toms River, New Jersey, native defeated 2017 All-American Tyler Berger (Nebraska), 2-0, in the best-of-three series to claim the championship and roster spot on the U23 Team USA roster. During his title run, Lewis defeated three 2017 NCAA qualifiers, two 2017 All-Americans and last year's NCAA runner-up at 149 pounds in Lavion Mayes.
In his final season at Rutgers, Lewis is currently ranked No. 8 at 157 pounds by Intermat. A NCAA qualifier in 2016, Lewis is 1-0 this season after he defeated Kyle Cochran of Maryland by major decision, 13-4, on Nov. 4 outside at High Point Solutions Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights return to action on Friday, Dec. 1, when they compete at Lock Haven at 7 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers wrestling, follow the program on Twitter (@RUWrestling) and Instagram (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
The redshirt senior advanced to the championship bout after he defeated Zulfikar Makhamatov (Kazakhstan) by decision, 7-2. Sunday's title bout will stream live on Trackwrestling.com ($), with live results provided by Trackwrestling as well as on Twitter by @RUWrestling and @USAWrestling.
Trailing 2-1 to Makhamatov midway through the second and final period of the semifinal match, Lewis registered a takedown and added four additional points for the final 7-2 advantage. In his four matches Sunday afternoon, Lewis outscored his opponents, 42-10, with two tech falls and two decisions.
The Toms River, New Jersey, native advanced to the semifinals after his 14-7 quarterfinal victory over Muhammet Akdeniz (Turkey), who was a 2016 U23 European bronze medalist. Lewis opened the championships with a quick 10-0 tech fall over Caleb Rutner (Canada) in the first round, followed by an 11-1 tech fall against Surkho Rashytkhanau (Belarus) in the Round of 16.
Lewis qualified for the championships after he claimed the 70kg title at the U23 World Team Trials on Oct. 8 in Rochester, Minnesota. The Toms River, New Jersey, native defeated 2017 All-American Tyler Berger (Nebraska), 2-0, in the best-of-three series to claim the championship and roster spot on the U23 Team USA roster. During his title run, Lewis defeated three 2017 NCAA qualifiers, two 2017 All-Americans and last year's NCAA runner-up at 149 pounds in Lavion Mayes.
In his final season at Rutgers, Lewis is currently ranked No. 8 at 157 pounds by Intermat. A NCAA qualifier in 2016, Lewis is 1-0 this season after he defeated Kyle Cochran of Maryland by major decision, 13-4, on Nov. 4 outside at High Point Solutions Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights return to action on Friday, Dec. 1, when they compete at Lock Haven at 7 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers wrestling, follow the program on Twitter (@RUWrestling) and Instagram (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
Richie Lewis rolls into the semifinals at 70 kilograms with a 14-7 victory against Turkey's Muhammet Akdeniz pic.twitter.com/DohcD5HznW
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) November 26, 2017
Richie Lewis is flying into the 70-kilogram quarterfinals after registering two techs this morning. He's up next on Mat A. pic.twitter.com/4pyB67JhXq
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) November 26, 2017
Richie Lewis cruised into the round of 16 at 70 kilograms with a 10-0 tech against Canada's Caleb Rutner. #U23WorldChampionships pic.twitter.com/qkpocm02Sb
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) November 26, 2017
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