Lehigh University Athletics
McCoy, U.S. take silvers at Worlds
9/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
New York, NY- Lehigh assistant coach Kerry McCoy won a silver medal at the World Freestyle Wrestling Championships at Madison Square Garden, helping the United States to a second place finish overall. McCoy recorded his best finish ever at Worlds, losing 4-1 in overtime to Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan in the gold medal match.
Wrestling in the 120 kg final, McCoy scored a takedown with only seven seconds left in regulation, but Taymazov scored a three-point takedown-to-the-back in the extra period to claim the gold. The Uzbek—a World and Olympic silver medalist--had beaten Kerry 10-0 in the World Cup last March. McCoy had won four straight bouts to reach the final, including a win by fall over bronze medalist Ali Reza Rezaei of Iran in the semis.
McCoy was one of two runners-up for the U.S. team along with former Iowa State legend Cael Sanderson, who also won a silver medal. Former Soviet Republic Georgia took home first place in the team competition, besting the U.S. and Iran by a single point. The U.S. women also finished second overall, and earned the only gold medal for either U.S. team as Kristi Marano won at 67 kg, her second World title.
Previously McCoy had finished fourth twice at Worlds and fifth in the 2000 Olympics before winning silver on Sunday.
