YAKUTSK, Russia -- The United States fell in its second-round matchup in pool play action of the 2019 World Cup, losing to Iran on criteria, 5-5. Iran held the edge on classification points, 21-18.
After a strong second period, Zach Sanders dropped a close 4-3 match against Alirez Sarlak to start the dual at 57 kilograms.
However, National Team member Nico Megaludis put up a strong showing at 61 kilograms, blanking two-time Junior world champion Iman Sadeghikoukandeh, 12-0. It was Megaludis' second technical fall victory of the day.
2017 Senior World Team member and 2012 Cadet world champion Zain Retherford gave the USA a boost with a solid 6-1 win against Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the 65-kilogram match.
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Iran def. USA, 5-5 (21-18)
57 kg: Alireza Sarlak (Iran) dec. Zach Sanders (USA), 4-3
61 kg: Nico Megaludis (USA) TF Iman Sadeghikoukandeh (Iran), 12-0
65 kg: Zain Retherford (USA) dec. Morteza Ghiasi Cheka (Iran), 6-1
70 kg: Meisam Nasiri (Iran) dec. Jason Chamberlain (USA), 3-0
74 kg: Isaiah Martinez (USA) dec. Reza Afzalipaemami (Iran), 8-2
79 kg: Tommy Gantt (USA) dec. Mojtaba Asghari Osmavandani (Iran), 11-6
86 kg: Mersad Marghzari (Iran) fall Sam Brooks (USA)
92 kg: Hayden Zillmer (USA) dec. Mohammadjavad Ebrahimizivlaei (Iran), 6-4
97 kg: Alireza Goodarzi (Iran) dec. Kyven Gadson (USA), 4-0
125 kg: Komeil Ghasemi (Iran) dec. Tony Nelson (USA), 6-2
