TAMPERE, Finland – Behind a record year for the USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle Team, Arizona State wrestling's Zahid Valencia helped the United States bring home their first team title since 1984.
Valencia earned a silver medal, improving significantly from a 10th place finish in 2015 and a seventh-place finish in 2016. After making three straight Junior World Teams, he moves up to compete for a spot on the Senior World Team next summer.
"It feels good to win a medal and know that I've progressed every year – from 10th to 7th to 2nd – so it's just a learning experience," said Valencia. "I still have a lot of growing and learning to do, so I'm just enjoying the experience."
Seven of eight US competitors on the team earned a medal en route to the team title. All four competitors on day two advanced to the gold medal match.
Valencia earned decisive victories in his first three qualifying matches, including a victory over Azerbaijan's Gadzhimura Magomedsaidov, who knocked him out in the Junior World quarterfinals in 2016.
Taking Russia's Artur Naifonov to the end in the gold medal match, Valencia ultimately earned the silver medal.
"It was a tough one, he's strong and big, and a couple calls went his way and he got the W this time," Valencia said of the gold medal match. "I kept trying to put pressure on him and get to my attacks, but he was good at defending all my shots. I kept it close and tried to finish it at the end."
Valencia following in his head coach's footsteps, Zeke Jones earned a Junior World Freestyle silver for the US in 1986 while Sun Devil teammate Mike Davies won silver in 1984.
The Sun Devils have had representation on the Junior World Team the last seven years with Zahid Valencia earning a spot in 2015-17, his brother Anthony Valencia in 2014, and Tanner Hall in 2011-2012. Now current Sun Devil Jason Tsirtsis was on the 2013 team while Bubba Jenkins won gold in 2007 team prior to his time in Tempe.
Zahid Valencia Results (84 kg/185 lbs.)
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Gadzhimura Magomedsaidov (Azerbaijan), 11-2
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Cheolyeon Lee (Korea), 10-0
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Deepak Punia (India), 11-0
Artur Naifonov (Russia) def. Zahid Valencia (USA), 7-5
Team USA Finishes
Malik Heinselman (50 kg), 8th
Daton Fix (55 kg), Gold
Mitchell McKee (60 kg), Silver
Ryan Deakin (66 kg), Silver
Mark Hall (74 kg), Gold
Zahid Valencia (84 kg), Silver
Kollin Moore (96 kg), Bronze
Gable Steveson (120 kg), Gold
Valencia earned a silver medal, improving significantly from a 10th place finish in 2015 and a seventh-place finish in 2016. After making three straight Junior World Teams, he moves up to compete for a spot on the Senior World Team next summer.
We are the best in the World! ????????? #Tampere2017 pic.twitter.com/54pIvgRhXu
— USA Wrestling (@USAWrestling) August 2, 2017
"It feels good to win a medal and know that I've progressed every year – from 10th to 7th to 2nd – so it's just a learning experience," said Valencia. "I still have a lot of growing and learning to do, so I'm just enjoying the experience."
Seven of eight US competitors on the team earned a medal en route to the team title. All four competitors on day two advanced to the gold medal match.
Valencia earned decisive victories in his first three qualifying matches, including a victory over Azerbaijan's Gadzhimura Magomedsaidov, who knocked him out in the Junior World quarterfinals in 2016.
Taking Russia's Artur Naifonov to the end in the gold medal match, Valencia ultimately earned the silver medal.
Zahid Valencia falls 7-5 to Russian in 84 kilo final. Valencia gives United States its 3rd world silver of these championships. pic.twitter.com/NtMW8TwmCn
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) August 2, 2017
"It was a tough one, he's strong and big, and a couple calls went his way and he got the W this time," Valencia said of the gold medal match. "I kept trying to put pressure on him and get to my attacks, but he was good at defending all my shots. I kept it close and tried to finish it at the end."
Valencia following in his head coach's footsteps, Zeke Jones earned a Junior World Freestyle silver for the US in 1986 while Sun Devil teammate Mike Davies won silver in 1984.
The Sun Devils have had representation on the Junior World Team the last seven years with Zahid Valencia earning a spot in 2015-17, his brother Anthony Valencia in 2014, and Tanner Hall in 2011-2012. Now current Sun Devil Jason Tsirtsis was on the 2013 team while Bubba Jenkins won gold in 2007 team prior to his time in Tempe.
On behalf of 2017 World Silver Medalist Zahid Valencia, Coach Jones and Pendleton, we thank you for supporting ASU Wrestling! Back to work! pic.twitter.com/J8MTGmzSR2
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) August 2, 2017
Zahid Valencia Results (84 kg/185 lbs.)
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Gadzhimura Magomedsaidov (Azerbaijan), 11-2
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Cheolyeon Lee (Korea), 10-0
Zahid Valencia (USA) def. Deepak Punia (India), 11-0
Artur Naifonov (Russia) def. Zahid Valencia (USA), 7-5
Team USA Finishes
Malik Heinselman (50 kg), 8th
Daton Fix (55 kg), Gold
Mitchell McKee (60 kg), Silver
Ryan Deakin (66 kg), Silver
Mark Hall (74 kg), Gold
Zahid Valencia (84 kg), Silver
Kollin Moore (96 kg), Bronze
Gable Steveson (120 kg), Gold