Illini Alum Zane Richards and Team USA Win World Cup
December 12, 2022 | Wrestling
News
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Former Illini wrestler and two-time All-American Zane Richards represented the United States in the United World Wrestling (UWW) World Cup on Dec. 10-11, 2022. He won both of his matches and aided the United States to victory. This is the United States' 15th freestyle World Cup which now ties them with the Soviet Union for the most all-time.
Richards wrestled at 57 kilograms and in the first match of the World Cup he defeated Mongolia's world bronze medalist Zanabazar Zandanbud by a technical fall 10-0. The U.S. went on to beat Mongolia 7-3 and was flawless against Georgia 10-0 to advance to the finals against Iran.
Richards was the tone setter for the finals for the U.S. as he was first on the mat. He recorded two takedowns and a counter turn to give the USA the early lead. He defeated 2022 Asian U20 silver medalists Reza Hossein Momenijoujadeh 6-2. The U.S. wound up victorious over Iran 6-4 and secured their second World Cup title since 2018.
Zane Richards
On kicking the gold medal match off:
"I've never been happier to be a part of this country and one of God's children than I am right now. That was a hard-fought battle and a very competitive match. I don't think my greatest performance by any means, but it doesn't matter those are points for Team USA. I am happy to be a part of this moment this is incredible."
On his composure during the match:
"I've got some guys in the room who can do way worse than that guy could. I'm not trying to put that guy down, but there's guys if I am up by six you better check yourself. 12 seconds is a lot of time. Bryan Medlin has put me there, Ibragim, Jeremy Hunter, even Isaiah Martinez. Whether he's sitting next to me on the couch being a jerk about a video game. He's put me in those situations to stay composed. I'm really thankful I get to be a part of these men and God's given me a chance to be a part of this community."
On his mindset mid match:
"It's 4-2 I can win 4-4, but he got in deep. I'm thinking to myself how the heck, he shouldn't stiff your leg. Instead of just holding on, for a second I think. Then I decide well I think I can just score this and end it. Sure, enough I found a way to do it. Kudos to Momenijoujadeh he's a very tough wrestler and I hope to see him again in the future."
World Cup Men's Gold Medal Dual Full Results
United States 6, Iran 4
57 kg - Zane Richards (USA) dec. Reza Hossein Momenijoujadeh (Iran), 6-2
61 kg - Seth Gross (USA) tech. fall Ebrahim Elahichouran (Iran), 10-0
65 kg - Rahman Mousa Amouzadhalili (Iran) dec. Yianni Diakomihalis (USA), 5-4
70 kg - Alec Pantaleo (USA) dec. Amirmohammad Yazdanicherati (Iran), 4-3
74 kg - Mohmmadsadegh Firouzpourbandpei (Iran) dec. Jason Nolf (USA), 2-1
79 kg - Ali Bakhtiar Savadkouhi (Iran) dec. Jordan Burroughs (USA), 6-6
86 kg - Zahid Valencia (USA) dec. Alireza Mohammad Karimimachiani (Iran), 5-3
92 kg - Nathan Jackson (USA) dec. Amirhossein Firouzpourbandpei (Iran), 8-4
97 kg - Kyle Snyder (USA) dec. Kamran Ghasempour (Iran), 5-0
125 kg - Amirreza Masoumi Valadi (Iran) dec. Hayden Zillmer (USA), 6-1
