Olympic Wrestling – Penn State legend David Taylor’s path to gold

Breaking down Penn State Wrestling legend David Taylor’s path to olympic wrestling Gold Medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games

Arguably the most decorated Nittany Lion in Penn State Wrestling history, David Taylor, is set to hit the Olympic mats in the coming days as he makes his debut for Team USA at 86kg (freestyle).

So let’s take a look at what stands between Taylor and immortal glory in the gauntlet that is the Men’s Freestyle 86kg group. More specifically, we’ll take a look at David’s international history, how he’s faired against some of the grapplers in his bracket, as well as several of the other top contenders for gold.

Here’s how Penn State Wrestling legend David Taylor can take home the gold medal in the Olympic Games

International Record

David Taylor (USA)

Overall Record: 117-18

International Titles:
2018 World Gold
2018 Pan-Am Gold
2019 Pan-Am Gold
2021 Pan-Am Gold

Record Against 86kg Olympic Field:
Forfeit win over Pool Ambrocio (2020 Pan-Am OG Qualifier)
11-6 win over Hassan Yazdani (2018 Worlds)
Pinned (11-0) Boris Makoev (2018 Yasar Dogu)
11-0 win over Pool Amrocio (2018 Pan-Ams)
Pinned (14-4) Artur Naifonov (2018 Yarygin)
Pinned (8-4) Hassan Yazdani (2017 World Cup)

So, other than all of that above, what have you done for us lately, David Taylor? Huh?

That was a joke.

Sorry David, please don’t hurt me with your pinky finger.

There’s a couple of interesting items to note regarding Taylor’s international wrestling career. First and foremost is the fact he has not lost an international match since way back in November 2016 when he fell to the Ukraine’s Dmytro Rochniak 2-6 in the 2016 Worlds Club Cup.

Since then David has gone a perfect 47-0 which includes 10 wins against world medalists and 4 wins against World/Olympic Champions.

Take a look at Taylor’s record against the rest of the 86kg Olympic Field. Notice a trend there?

You are correct. I do like to use the bold font way too much. But you will also notice he has not lost to anyone in the field in his illustrious international career.

And here’s the other interesting fact. David Taylor has not wrestled against the best in the world in over two years. His last competition on the world stage was the 2018 World Championships where Taylor brought home the gold.

While David has kept his game sharp in both the Pan American Championships and US Olympic Team Trials in recent years, it’s potentially a giant question mark how he still stacks up with the world’s best.

Speaking of that, let’s take a look at Taylor’s first major hurdle on his way to gold.