Davis and Ruiz still alive for bronze medals at 2005 World University Games
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
08/17/2005
Izmir, Turkey - Jeremiah Davis (El Cajon, Calif./Northern Michigan Univ./Sunkist Kids) and Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./Univ. of Nebraska/New York AC) both lost matches in the Greco-Roman competition at the 2005 World University Games on Wednesday, but both will also have an opportunity to win a bronze medal. Davis dropped a first-round bout to two-time Olympian Ali Ashkani Agboloag of Iran (6-3, 8-0) at 60 kg/132 lbs. Agboloag, who has won World University gold medals in 2002 and 2004, advanced to the gold-medal bout, giving Davis an opportunity to wrestle for a bronze medal. Davis will face Sasun Chambaryan of Armenia in his first repechage match. Ruiz lost in the quarterfinals to 2005 Asian champion Margulan Assembekov of Kazakhstan (3-0, 1-3, 6-0) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. In the first period, Assembekov scored two points on a gut wrench in his 30-second clinch period to come away with the win. In the second period, Ruiz scored three points on two gut wrenches in his 30-second clinch period to take a 3-0 lead. In Assembekov's 30-second clinch period, he threw Ruiz out of bounds, and officials initially signaled for three points, but after a video review, only one was awarded. In the third period, Ruiz was unable to score in his 30-second clinch period, giving Assembekov a 1-0 lead. Assembekov then capitalized, lifting Ruiz and throwing him for five points to end the match. In the repechage, Ruiz will face the winner of a match between 2004 men's freestyle Olympian Antoine Jaoude of Brazil and Valdas Sidlauskas of Lithuania, who placed fourth in the 2004 European Championships. Ruiz defeated Guram Pherselidze of Georgia (1-1, 4-0) in the second round. In the first period, neither wrestler provided offensive production, but Ruiz defended in the 30-second clinch last and due to scoring the last point, won the period. In the second period, Ruiz took an early lead by forcing Pherselidze out of bounds. He then padded the lead with a two-point gut wrench in his 30-second clinch period. In the first round, Ruiz downed Zamprakas Evangellos of Greece (3-0, 2-0). Neither wrestler scored in the first minute, and Evangellos was unable to score in his 30-second clinch periods, but the difference was when Ruiz was in par terre in his 30-second clinch period. In the first period, Ruiz scored two points on a gut wrench to win in the clinch. In the second period, Ruiz used a gut wrench for a one-point turn and the win as well. Cheney Haight (Orem, Utah/Northern Michigan Univ.) lost his opening round match at 74 kg/163 lbs. to Rene Zimmerman of Germany (5-0, 2-1). Haight gave up takedowns in the first minute of both periods. In the first period, he was also thrown for three points in Zimmerman's 30-second clinch period. Haight was unable to score in his. In the second period, Haight defended well in Zimmerman's 30-second clinch period, tying the score at 1-1, but he was unable to turn Zimmerman in his chance from par terre. Zimmeman did not earn a trip to the gold-medal bout, meaning Haight will not have the opportunity to compete for a bronze medal. Repechage and medal matches begin at 5:00 p.m. local time in Izmir. TheMat.com will provide complete coverage and results.