Thompson Takes Bronze at Worlds

Former NU All-American wrestler Tolly Thompson came back from a first-round loss to finish third in 120kg freestyle wrestling at the 2005 World Championships held in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Budapest, Hungary.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“Winning in high pressure situation is what our sport is all about,” said Thompson after his first appearance at worlds.  “To go out and win under pressure, that is what we wrestle for.”

 

Thompson defeated 1997 World Champion Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov of Russia 1-0, 1-0 to clinch the bronze medal.  Thompson scored both points when he drove Kuramagomedov out of bounds twice to earn the point.  The rule allowing offensive wrestlers to score by driving their opponent out of bounds is a recent FILA rule change.

 

Thompson waited nearly six hours after his first-round loss to eventual World Champion Aydin Polatci of Turkey to wrestle in the wrestlebacks.  Thompson earned the opportunity to wrestle in the consolation rounds by Polatci’s reaching the gold-medal match. 

           

In his first consolation match, Thompson defeated Vadim Tasoev of Ukraine, 3-1, 4-1.  Thompson scored the first point in both periods, but had to break a 1-1 tie in the second with a three-point double-leg late in the period.

 

Thompson moved on to the bronze medal match with a victory by fall over Rares Chintoan of Romania.  Thompson notched seven points in under a minute before earning the fall.

 

With the bronze-medal performances of Thompson and 74kg wrestler Joe Williams, the U.S. freestyle team finished eighth.

 

The bronze medal in Worlds is another achievement in Thompson’s decorated wrestling career.  Thompson set the school record for wins at Nebraska, finishing his college career at 157-21.  He was a two-time Big Eight champion heavyweight for NU and was a three-time All-American, including the 1995 national championship.  Thompson was an assistant coach for the Huskers in Mark Manning’s first two years as head coach before moving on to Northern Iowa, where he is currently an assistant.

 

Thompson is one of three former Nebraska wrestlers that are participating in this week’s World Championships.  Greco-Roman wrestlers Brad Vering (84kg) and Justin Ruiz (97kg) will compete starting Saturday.  Vering was a three-time All-American and 2000 national champion at Nebraska, while Ruiz was a two-time All-American.