David Taylor named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

David Taylor (Centre Hall, Pa./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on November 6, 2024.

Taylor won bronze at 92 kg in men’s freestyle at the 2024 Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania, capping off his career as one of the most accomplished athletes in USA Wrestling history.

The most anticipated match of the tournament between Olympic champions Taylor and Individual Neutral Athlete Abdulrashid Sadulaev went in favor of Sadulaev at 92 kg. Sadulaev scored three go-behind takedowns, two off his own snaps and one off a Taylor attack, to control the match to a 7-0 finish. He moved ahead to the semifinals where he faced two-time World champion Kamran Ghasempour of Iran, using a last second throw to clinch the win and advance to the finals, pulling Taylor into the repechage with a chance to wrestle back for a bronze medal.

In repechage, Taylor met 2021 World bronze medalist Abubakr Abakarov of Azerbaijan in his first of two matches, securing a 3-1 decision. He followed with an 11-1 technical fall over 2021 U23 World bronze medalist Lars Schaefle of Germany, putting himself in the bronze medal match to face Ghasempour.

Taylor took out two-time World champion Ghasempour 6-2 in a premier showdown for bronze. Ghasempour held a 2-0 lead at the break, after scoring a takedown during activity time. However, the second period was dominated by Taylor, who increased his pace and secured three takedowns, clinching the match with a move on the edge just three seconds before the final whistle.

The win sends Taylor out in style with a fifth World medal to go along with his gold from the Tokyo Olympics. Taylor, who is embarking on his first season as the head coach at Oklahoma State University, is a three-time World champion. Following the victory, United World Wrestling presented Taylor with a special token on center mat to celebrate his retirement from the sport.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.