Oklahoma State University Athletics
Steve Mocco Wins Twice At Olympic Games
August 21, 2008 | Cowboy Wrestling
BEIJING, CHINA – Former Oklahoma State wrestler Steve Mocco was defeated in his repechage match at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and eliminated from medal contention at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium on Thursday evening. It was the final session of wrestling in the Beijing Olympics, and Mocco was the last U.S. wrestler competing in the event.
2006 World bronze medalist Fardin Masoumi of Iran defeated Mocco, 3-1, 4-0 in the repechage match. With Mocco leading 1-0, Massoumi hit a three-point body lock in the final seconds to win the first period. In the second period, after a Massoumi shot and Mocco counter, officials reviewed the video and awarded three points to Massoumi, the key move in the period.
“I came here to wrestle,” Mocco said. “I was well-coached and well-prepared. I'd like to thank my family, my coaches and my friends for being here for me. I have nothing to talk about. I didn't succeed.”
Mocco started his day with a 1-0, 3-0 win over India's Rajiv Tomer in the preliminary round. He advanced into the quarterfinals with a 1-0, 3-0 triumph over China's Liang Lai in the round of 16. Mocco was bumped into the repechage after losing a hard-fought 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 match to Russian Bakhtiyar Akhmedov.
“He wrestled well,” Mocco said. “I have nothing to say about it. I thought I was well-prepared.”
Akhmedov went on to win the silver medal, with Masoumi placing fourth after losing in the bronze medal match. Uzbekistan's Artur Taymazov took the gold.
Mocco was competing in his first Olympic Games. This is his first U.S. Senior team. The 2005 NCAA champion while competing for the Cowboys, Mocco was a four-time NCAA finalist.
Steve Mocco at the 2008 Olympic Games (120 kg/264.5 pounds)
First match – Steve Mocco (USA) dec. Rajiv Tomer (India), 1-0, 3-0
Second match – Steve Mocco (USA) dec. Liang Lai (China), 1-0, 3-0
Quarterfinals – Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Russia) dec. Steve Mocco (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 2-0
Repechage match –. Fardin Masoumi (Iran) dec. Steve Mocco (USA). 3-1, 4-0
Medal Winners
Gold: Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan)
Silver: Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Russia)
Bronze: David Musulbes (Slovakia) –and- Marid Mutalimov (Kazakhstan)
2006 World bronze medalist Fardin Masoumi of Iran defeated Mocco, 3-1, 4-0 in the repechage match. With Mocco leading 1-0, Massoumi hit a three-point body lock in the final seconds to win the first period. In the second period, after a Massoumi shot and Mocco counter, officials reviewed the video and awarded three points to Massoumi, the key move in the period.
“I came here to wrestle,” Mocco said. “I was well-coached and well-prepared. I'd like to thank my family, my coaches and my friends for being here for me. I have nothing to talk about. I didn't succeed.”
Mocco started his day with a 1-0, 3-0 win over India's Rajiv Tomer in the preliminary round. He advanced into the quarterfinals with a 1-0, 3-0 triumph over China's Liang Lai in the round of 16. Mocco was bumped into the repechage after losing a hard-fought 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 match to Russian Bakhtiyar Akhmedov.
“He wrestled well,” Mocco said. “I have nothing to say about it. I thought I was well-prepared.”
Akhmedov went on to win the silver medal, with Masoumi placing fourth after losing in the bronze medal match. Uzbekistan's Artur Taymazov took the gold.
Mocco was competing in his first Olympic Games. This is his first U.S. Senior team. The 2005 NCAA champion while competing for the Cowboys, Mocco was a four-time NCAA finalist.
Steve Mocco at the 2008 Olympic Games (120 kg/264.5 pounds)
First match – Steve Mocco (USA) dec. Rajiv Tomer (India), 1-0, 3-0
Second match – Steve Mocco (USA) dec. Liang Lai (China), 1-0, 3-0
Quarterfinals – Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Russia) dec. Steve Mocco (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 2-0
Repechage match –. Fardin Masoumi (Iran) dec. Steve Mocco (USA). 3-1, 4-0
Medal Winners
Gold: Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan)
Silver: Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Russia)
Bronze: David Musulbes (Slovakia) –and- Marid Mutalimov (Kazakhstan)
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