Iran Takes Junior Team Title Above Russia And United States
Iran Takes Junior Team Title Above Russia And United States
Check out the final results of the team race in men's freestyle at the 2021 Junior World Championships.
Wrestling concluded in men’s freestyle at the 2021 Junior World Championships. On top of the ten individual champions crowned, the team race has also reached its conclusion. Take a look below to see how the top 10 countries finished and how Team USA’s performance this year compares to past Junior Worlds.
Iran Dominates
Off the performance of 5 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Iran won the team title by a whopping 36 points over second place Russia. In fact, Iran had the team title locked up before the final day of medal matches even started. Iran’s performance this year matches Russia’s from 2018 with their 5 champs and 7 total medalists. However in total points, Iran finished 4 points behind Russia’s 2018 team title. The team performance from Iran was still overwhelmingly impressive and should be refreshing to Iranian fans coming off a down Olympics. What's also notable for Iran's team is the amount of Junior reps who will be at Senior Worlds in October. It's being reported that up to 6 of the junior reps will also compete at Senior Worlds (57, 61, 65, 70, 74, and 79).
Take a look at the final top 10 countries:
| Iran | 178 |
| Russia | 142 |
| United States | 129 |
| Azerbaijan | 122 |
| India | 101 |
| Kazakhstan | 72 |
| Turkey | 62 |
| Armenia | 59 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 51 |
| Moldova | 40 |
Watch Keegan O'Toole win his Junior World Title:
USA With 3 Champs To Take Third
While Russia was able to hold off the United States for second place, Team USA was still able to come away with third just ahead of Azerbaijan. USA’s three champions - Keegan O’Toole (74kg), Rocky Elam (92kg), and Braxton Amos (97kg) tied the most Team USA has had in a year. In 2017, USA also had three champions in Daton Fix, Mark Hall and Gable Steveson. On top of the champs this year, USA also came away with two other bronze medalists - Beau Bartlett (65kg) and Bryce Andonian (70kg). Those 5 medals (3 Golds, 2 Bronze) tracks similarly to where Team USA has performed in recent years and is notably above performances at Junior Worlds from 2010-2013. Take a look at Team USA’s performance at Junior World from those years:
2019 - 6 Medals (2 Golds, 2 Silvers, 2 Bronze)
2018 - 5 Medals (1 Gold, 2 Silvers, 2 Bronze)
2017 - 7 Medals (3 Golds, 3 Silvers, 1 Bronze)
2016 - 3 Medals (2 Golds, 1 Bronze)
2015 - 4 Medals (1 Gold, 3 Bronze)
2014 - 4 Medals (2 Silvers, 2 Bronze)
2013 - 2 Medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver)
2012 - 1 Medal (1 Silver)
2011 - 1 Medal (1 silver)
2010 - 1 Medal (1 bronze)
***2010-2017 only 8 weights were contested compared to 10 weights at 2018-2021 Junior Worlds.
Check Out Rocky Elam's Win over Iran's BLANK for Junior World Gold:
The success of Team USA in men’s freestyle at Junior Worlds gives American wrestling fans hope of continued success at the senior level. USA Wrestling has made great strides in men's freestyle over the past ten years and should be expected to continue to challenge for team titles at every world championship. Though Russia, Iran and others will always present a threat, Team USA has proven they will be a freestyle power for years to come.