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

By Chris Snyder

Gold medalist U.S. David Morris Taylor III (USA) celebrates on the podium after the final of the men's freestyle wrestling -86kg category at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest on October 21, 2018. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Gold medalist U.S. David Morris Taylor III (USA) celebrates on the podium after the final of the men's freestyle wrestling -86kg category at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest on October 21, 2018. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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WARSAW, POLAND – APRIL 21: Artur Naifonov from Russia (Photo by ADAM NURKIEWICZ/Getty Images)
WARSAW, POLAND – APRIL 21: Artur Naifonov from Russia (Photo by ADAM NURKIEWICZ/Getty Images) /

International Record

Artur Naifonov (RUS)

Overall Record: 84-8

International Titles:
2018 Euro Gold
2020 Euro Gold
2021 Euro Gold

Record Against 86kg Olympic Field:
9-0 win over Boris Makoev (2021 Euros)
2-0 win over Myles Amine (2021 Euros)
4-0 win over Myles Amine (2020 Euros)
3-0 win over Boris Makoev (2020 Euros)
6-0 win over Myles Amine (2019 Worlds)
6-0 win over Javrail Shapiev (2019 Worlds)
3-1 win over Javrail Shapiev (2019 Ali Aliev)
10-0 win over Zushen Lin (2018 Yarygin)
9-4 win over Osman Gocen (2017 Jr Worlds)
Pinned (4-2) by Hassan Yazdani (2019 Worlds)
Pinned (14-4) loss to David Taylor (2018 Yarygin)

As you can see with Naifonov’s record against the other wrestlers in the 86kg field, it’s pretty darn good. His only two losses have come at the hands of Hassan Yazdani and David Taylor.

Artur is absolutely a contender to win gold in this year’s games, however those two matches against Yazdani and Taylor weren’t particular close. Both matches ended with the same result as Naifonov was pinned each time.

This is where some doubt could creep into the gold medal conversation. Is Naifonov one of the world’s best freestyle wrestlers at 86kg? Yes.

Can he walk through everyone in the field not named Hassan Yazdani and David Taylor? Yes.

Is this finally his chance to avenge both losses and be the head honcho at 86kg? Yes.

Will it happen?

Let’s find out in my highly quantitative, data driven prediction section.

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