Hokie ClubDay one of the 2021 Junior World Championships saw Team USA representative and Hokies wrestler Bryce Andonian take the mat to open the first day of competition in Ufa, Russia. Wrestling in the 70Kg division, Andonian drew 2019 Cadet silver medalist, Efan Mohammad Elahi from Iran in a first-round match-up that went down to the wire.
Andonian, well-known for his "throw everything but the kitchen sink" style, opened the match with an overhook whip over that put his opponent straight to his back to go up 4-0 early. Iran came back with a takedown and a turn for exposure to even the score at 4-4; Andonian still holding a lead on criteria via higher scoring move. Andonian would add a double leg for two and the outright lead right before the break, making it a 6-4 lead for the USA world team member.
The second period saw one stepout point going both ways, making it a 7-5 Andonian lead with 1:30 left in the match. The Iranian wrestler then rattled off three more stepout points to take the lead with :30 remaining in the bout. Andonian pushed for an attack as time continued to expire but to no avail, dropping the bout 8-7.
Iran would then go on to beat his next two opponents and make it into the finals, keeping Andonian's medal contention alive in tomorrow's repecharge and medal rounds. Andonian will have to pick up three straight wins against Josley Dibo (COD), Asset Bauyrzhanov (KAZ), and Stanislav Novac (MDA) to garner a podium finish in Ufa.
Junior World Championship action resumes tomorrow morning with repecharge round starting at 2AM-6AM EST and medal round starting at 9AM EST. Matches can be streamed with a Flowrestling subscription.