David Taylor (wrestler, born 1990)

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David Taylor
Personal information
Full nameDavid Morris Taylor III
NicknameMagic Man[1]
Born (1990-12-05) December 5, 1990 (age 33)
Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Home townSt. Paris, Ohio, U.S.
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
EventFolkstyle & Freestyle
College teamPenn State University
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
Coached byCael Sanderson
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo 86 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Budapest 86 kg
Gold medal – first place 2022 Belgrade 86 kg
Gold medal – first place 2023 Belgrade 86 kg
Silver medal – second place 2021 Oslo 86 kg
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2018 Iowa City Team
Silver medal – second place 2017 Kermanshah Team
Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Lima 86 kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Buenos Aires 86 kg
Gold medal – first place 2021 Guatemala 86 kg
Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin
Gold medal – first place 2018 Krasnoyarsk 86 kg
World University Games
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Kazan 74 kg
US Open Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Las Vegas 74 kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Las Vegas 86 kg
Gold medal – first place 2018 Las Vegas 86 kg
Silver medal – second place 2013 Las Vegas 74 kg
Silver medal – second place 2014 Las Vegas 74 kg
Silver medal – second place 2015 Las Vegas (SN) 86 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 St. Louis 165 lb
Gold medal – first place 2014 Oklahoma City 165 lb
Silver medal – second place 2011 Philadelphia 157 lb
Silver medal – second place 2013 Des Moines 165 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Evanston 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2012 West Lafayette 165 lb
Gold medal – first place 2013 Illinois 165 lb
Gold medal – first place 2014 Madison 165 lb

David Morris Taylor III (born December 5, 1990) is an American freestyle and graduated folkstyle wrestler who currently competes at 86 kilograms.[2] In 2021, Taylor became the 2020 Olympic gold medalist after defeating reigning Olympic and World Champion Hassan Yazdani, a feat he repeated from the 2018 World Championship where he stormed his way to the title.[3][4] He later became the 2021 World Championship runner-up, after being defeated by Yazdani.[5] Then, at the 2022 World Championships, he avenged that loss by defeating Yazdani once again to reclaim his world title.[6]

One of the most accomplished Nittany Lions in the history of the Penn State program, Taylor was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (four–time finalist), a four-time Big Ten Conference champion, and a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner during his collegiate years.[7]

Folkstyle career[edit]

High school[edit]

Born in Reno, Nevada, Taylor attended Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio. As a high schooler, Taylor became a four-time OHSAA state champion with an outstanding 180–2 record and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2009 as the nation's top high school wrestler.[8][9]

College[edit]

During his time at Penn State (2009–2014), Taylor went on to become a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (four-time finalist), a four-time Big Ten Conference champion, and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner.[7] After a perfect freshman year to that point, Taylor was pinned by Arizona State's Bubba Jenkins at the NCAA finals.[10] As a sophomore, he moved up from 157 pounds (71 kg) to 165 lb (75 kg), winning the NCAA title and being named the best college wrestler in the US as the Dan Hodge Trophy winner with a 70–1 overall record.

As a junior, he faced Kyle Dake from Cornell in the NCAA finals, who moved up to attempt to become the third four-time NCAA champion and the first to win titles at four different weight classes in the history of the NCAA. After a back-and-forth battle, Taylor was defeated 5–4.[11] As a senior, he once again had an undefeated campaign, claimed his second NCAA title, helped clinch the team title for the Nittany Lions, and became the third multiple-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner in history.[12] Taylor graduated with 134 wins and three losses, 50 pins, 42 technical falls, and 29 major decisions.[12]

Freestyle career[edit]

2010–2012[edit]

Taylor made his freestyle debut in April 2010, when he claimed a University US National title.[13] In 2012, he competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where he went 3–2.[14]

2013–2014[edit]

In 2013, Taylor claimed runner-up honors at the US Open in April, defeating Nick Marable to reach the finals and then being downed by the defending Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs.[15] After pinning '12 Junior World Champion Magomed Kurbanaliev from Russia at Beat the Streets,[16] Taylor became a two-time US University National and made the US University World Team on May.[17] At the '13 US World Team Trials Challenge of June, Taylor went 4–1 with a lone loss to four-time NCAA Division I National Kyle Dake to claim third-place.[18] At the 2013 Summer Universiade, he claimed a bronze medal for the United States.[19]

In 2014, last year's US Open results were repeated when Taylor fell to Jordan Burroughs, this rematch being much closer and forcing the now defending World Champion to come from behind to get the last minute comeback.[20] After dominating the eventual '16 Olympic bronze medalist and at-the-time two-time World bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Jabrayil Hasanov at Beat the Streets, Taylor made the US World Team Trials finals, but was defeated twice in a row by Burroughs.[21]

2015–2016[edit]

Now able to focus on freestyle full-time after graduating from college, Taylor opened up the 2015 year with a fifth-place finish at the Yasar Dogu, where he went 3–2.[22] He then claimed his first US Open National title in May,[23] followed up by a technical fall over Cuba's Liván López at Beat the Streets.[24] In his fourth attempt to make the US World Team, Taylor was once again overpowered by Kyle Dake in the challenge tournament, but he came back and claimed the third place when he beat veteran Andrew Howe.[25] Taylor then claimed Grand Prix of Spain and Stepan Sargsyan Cup gold medals in July,[26][27] before making the decision to bulk up to the 86 kilogram division on September.[28] Taylor took fifth-place at the Golden Grand Prix of November, and seemed overpowered in his first tournament at a new weight class.[29] On December, Taylor competed at the US Senior Nationals, and after running through '14 US World Team member and teammate Ed Ruth,[30] Taylor was defeated by long-time rival Kyle Dake.[31]

In 2016, Taylor was unable to make the US Olympic Team, as he was defeated by Dake for the fifth time in the senior level, forcing Taylor to battle for the bronze medal, which he comfortably earned.[32] He then claimed his second Spain Grand Prix title on July,[33] and competed again at the World Clubs Cup of December, where he went 3-1 and helped TMWC reach the first-place, while also defeating the accomplished Alireza Karimi.[34]

2017[edit]

In his first competition of the year, Taylor dominated the Grand Prix of Paris in January,[35] and despite being initially banned by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,[36] he competed at the World Cup in February in Iran.[37] At the World Cup, he defeated four top-level opponents: '12 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Dato Marsagishvili in the first round (8-3), that year's World Championship bronze medalist Vladislav Valiev (TF 14–4), '12 Olympic Gold medalist Sharif Sharifov (TF 12–2), and '16 Olympic Gold medalist Hassan Yazdani (fall).[38]

Taylor claimed his second US national title in April, with an overall score of 40–4 against five opponents.[39] After a quick win at Beat the Streets,[40] Taylor made the World Team Trials finals when he ran through '16 US OTT Greco-Roman champion Joe Rau and '12 Junior World Championship runner-up Pat Downey, and defeated three-time NCAA Division I All-American Nick Heflin to make the best-of-three, where he faced returning Olympic Bronze medalist J'den Cox.[41] In the first match, Taylor rallied comfortably with a 9–3 win, but was closely defeated in the second match 4–3, leading to a controversial third bout due to Cox's sweat and alleged passivity, which caused Taylor to kick the challenge cube and his cornerman Cael Sanderson to throw items at the official and a chair onto the mat after losing 5–3.[42][43]

He came back to competition at the World Clubs Cup on December, where he helped the TMWC to second place with notable victories over Alireza Karimi and Pawan Kumar.[44]

2018[edit]

To start off the year, Taylor became only the 12th American to claim a gold medal at the Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix, considered the toughest open tournament in the world.[45] He opened with a win over two-time (and defending) Pan American champion Yurieski Torreblanca, followed by Selim Yaşar on points and a fall over '17 Junior World Champion Artur Naifonov to make the finals. In the finals, he got another fall, this time over Fatih Erdin, to claim the gold medal.[46] On April, he claimed his second consecutive World Cup championship, recording four technical falls to help secure the gold medal for the United States.[47][48] He also clinched his third US National title, with four victories over fellow Americans.[49]

On May, he claimed his first Pan American title, with notable wins over Yurieski Torreblanca, Pool Ambrocio and Eduardo Gajardo.[50] On his seventh attempt to make the US World/Olympic Team, Taylor finally and dominantly was able to punch tickets to the World Championships, when he defeated '18 Bill Farrell Memorial medalist Nick Reenan twice via technical fall on May, at Final X: State College.[51] He then warmed up at the Yasar Dogu of July, with four dominant pins over foreigners.[52]

At the World Championships, Taylor had a tough start, as he faced his biggest threat of the tournament in the first round, '16 Olympic Gold medalist and defending World champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran. After being down two points to six at the end of the first period, Taylor was able to overcome adversity and put on nine points on his side, finishing the legendary match 11–6.[53] In the next round, he tech'd '18 Alexander Medved champion Hajy Rajabau from Belarus, to advance to the quarterfinals.[54] Next, he picked apart the accomplished Cuban Yurieski Torreblanca, to pick up an 8–0 victory.[55] In the semifinals, he had it harder, as he went to the distance against the '17 European Champion and Russia's best Dauren Kurugliev, but was able to score the comeback win 7–5.[56] During the match, Taylor got briefly knocked out after Kurugliev accidentally wheel kicked him on the chin when escaping a single leg attempt by Taylor.[57] In the finals, he dismantled Fatih Erdin from Turkey, overwhelming his opposition with 12 points to two, to claim the World Championship and help Team USA reach third place.[58][59]

After the year was over, Taylor was named the UWW International Freestyle wrestler of the Year,[60] and was awarded the John Smith Award winner as USA's Freestyle wrestler of the Year.[61]

2019–2020[edit]

After time off competition, the returning World Champion came back in April 2019, when he claimed his second straight Pan American title, tournament in where he scored 34 points to none against his four opponents and Team USA claimed all ten medals in freestyle.[62] On May, he competed at the annual Beat the Streets for charity, against Drew Foster, where he suffered a severe knee injury which led him to forfeit out of the match, and ultimately, forced him to stay inactive during the whole year, missing the opportunity to make his second US World Team (forfeiting it to Pat Downey instead, whom he had tech'd twice), to represent the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games or to defend his title at the World Championships.[63][64][65]

After almost a full year of no competition, Taylor came back to wrestle in March 2020, at the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament.[66] He comfortably got three wins to win the bracket and internationally qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[67] Taylor was then scheduled to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials on April 4 at State College, Pennsylvania, where he was a heavy favorite.[68] However, the event was postponed for 2021 along with the Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving all the qualifiers unable to compete.[69]

Taylor was unable to compete for a couple of months due to the pandemic, but was scheduled to wrestle Pat Downey (whom he was unable to wrestle at the '19 US World Trials) on July 25, at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo.[70] After Downey pulled out of the bout due to problems with the organization, Taylor wrestled and tech'd the accomplished Myles Martin.[71] After more months of inactiveness, Taylor defeated two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean by points on November 24, at the NLWC III.[72]

2021[edit]

To start the year, Taylor was scheduled to face his former rival and five-time World and Olympic champion (at 74 kg) Jordan Burroughs, at 86 kilos, on January 9, while headlining FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor.[73] However, it was announced on January 8 that Taylor was unable to travel to Austin, Texas due to COVID-19 restrictions and the bout was subsequently postponed for four days later and changed its location for Lincoln, Nebraska, thus moving to a different card also named FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor.[74] After a 4–0 lead for Taylor in the first period, Burroughs rallied late to score four points of his own, but was unable to secure the victory as Taylor had criteria, defeating Burroughs for the first time in five matches.[75] Taylor was also scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane on January 16,[76] but was not able to travel due to the postponement of his match against Burroughs.[77]

During April 2 to 3, Taylor competed at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials as the heavy favorite and top–seed.[78] After cleaning out All–American Brett Pfarr in the quarterfinal round,[79] Taylor flawlessly knocked off reigning US National champion Gabe Dean in a rematch from their match at the NLWC III, advancing to the best–of–three finals.[80] In the finale, Taylor faced reigning U23 World Champion and Penn State legend Bo Nickal, whom he is close with as a friend and teammate at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He defeated Nickal twice and did not allow him to score any points while scoring ten combined points of his own, becoming the US Olympic Team Member at 86 kilograms, and qualifying him to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[81] In regards to his close relationship with Nickal, Taylor then stated:

"It was a weird emotion," Taylor said. "We had a discussion leading up to it, and we have such a deep room in the wrestling club, especially at 86 kilos, so we're challenged every single day and none of us would be where we are without each other. Bo's amazing, and I wouldn't be where I am without Bo."[82]

As a result, Taylor also competed at the Pan American Continental Championships on May 30.[83] Taylor racked up 30 points against his three opponents while not getting scored on to claim the crown and help the USA reach all 10 freestyle medals.[84]

Taylor wrestling Hassan Yazdani in the Olympic finale.

On August 4, Taylor competed in the first date of men's freestyle 86 kg of the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he looked dominant enough to score technical falls over all of his three opponents on his way to the finals; four-time World Championship medalist Ali Shabanau from Belarus, '20 European Championship runner-up Myles Amine from San Marino and defending World silver medalist Deepak Punia from India.[85] On the other side of the finale awaited rival and reigning Olympic and World Champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran, Taylor meeting him in a rubber match on August 5 after downing him twice earlier in his career.[86] Down 0–2 to a step-out and a passivity point in the second period, Taylor scored the first takedown to tie it up, though Yazdani scored another step-out to make it 2–3 on his favor, before being blasted by Taylor for two points late in the match, resulting in the stunning upset comeback win, shocking the world as the underdog going into the match. This result gained Taylor the 2020 Summer Olympic Games gold medal and extended his win-streak to 54 matches.[87]

As an Olympic medalist, Taylor earned the right to automatically represent the United States at the 2021 World Championships without having to compete domestically to make the US World Team, and did do so in October 2–3.[88] On the first date, Taylor once again ran through his competition, dominating the likes of World Championship runner-ups Boris Makojev and Abubakr Abakarov to cruise to the finale.[89] A fourth match with rival and reigning World Champion Hassan Yazdani took place in the finals, but this time the Iranian came up on top for the first time, nullifying Taylor and snapping his 57-match win streak, marking the series 3–1 in favor of Taylor and the latter leaving with a silver medal.[5]

Freestyle record[edit]

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2023 World Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 152–19 Iran Hassan Yazdani Fall September 17, 2023 2023 World Championships Serbia Belgrade, Serbia
Win 151–19 Kazakhstan Azamat Dauletbekov Fall September 16, 2023
Win 150–19 Bahrain Magomed Sharipov TF 12–2
Win 149–19 Austria Benjamin Greil TF 10–0
Win 148–19 Morocco Sofiane Padiou Belmir Fall
2023 US World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 147–19 United States Aaron Brooks 5–4 June 10, 2023 2023 Final X Newark

United States Newark, New Jersey

Win 146–19 United States Aaron Brooks 6–0
2022 World Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 145–19 Iran Hassan Yazdani 7-1 September 16, 2022 2022 World Championships Serbia Belgrade, Serbia
Win 144–19 Kazakhstan Azamat Dauletbekov TF 12–0 September 15, 2022
Win 143–19 Puerto Rico Ethan Ramos TF 11–0
Win 142–19 Italy Aron Caneva TF 10–0
2022 US World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 141–19 United States Zahid Valencia TF 10–0 June 8, 2022 2022 Final X NYC United States New York City, New York
Win 140–19 United States Zahid Valencia 4–2
2021 World Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 86 kg
Loss 139–19 Iran Hassan Yazdani 2–6 October 3, 2021 2021 World Championships Norway Oslo, Norway
Win 139–18 Azerbaijan Abubakr Abakarov Fall October 2, 2021
Win 138–18 France Akhmed Aibuev Fall
Win 137–18 Slovakia Boris Makojev TF 11–0
2020 Summer Olympics 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 136–18 Iran Hassan Yazdani 4–3 August 5, 2021 2020 Summer Olympics

Japan Tokyo, Japan

Win 135–18 India Deepak Punia TF 10–0 August 4, 2021
Win 134–18 San Marino Myles Amine TF 12–2
Win 133–18 Belarus Ali Shabanau TF 11–0
2021 Pan American Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 132–18 Canada Clayton Pye TF 10–0 May 30, 2021 2021 Pan American Continental Championships Guatemala Guatemala City, Guatemala
Win 131–18 Colombia Juan Sebastián Rivera TF 10–0
Win 130–18 Mexico Noel Alfonso Torres TF 10–0
2020 US Olympic Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 129–18 United States Bo Nickal 6–0 April 2–3, 2021 2020 US Olympic Team Trials United States Fort Worth, Texas
Win 128–18 United States Bo Nickal 4–0
Win 127–18 United States Gabe Dean 4–0
Win 126–18 United States Brett Pfarr TF 11–0
Win 125–18 United States Jordan Burroughs 4–4 January 13, 2021 FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Win 124–18 United States Gabe Dean 6–2 November 24, 2020 NLWC III

United States State College, Pennsylvania

Win 123–18 United States Myles Martin TF 11–0 July 25, 2020 FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo

United States Austin, Texas

2020 Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 122–18 Peru Pool Ambrocio FF March 15, 2020 2020 Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament

Canada Ottawa, Canada

Win 121–18 Cuba Yurieski Torreblanca 8–0
Win 120–18 Venezuela Pedro Ceballos Fall
2019 Pan American Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 119–18 Venezuela Pedro Ceballos TF 10–0 April 19–21, 2019 2019 Pan American Continental Championships

Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina

Win 118–18 Cuba Lazaro Hernandez TF 10–0
Win 117–18 Argentina Meruzhan Nikoyan 6–0
Win 116–18 The Bahamas Rashji Mackey 8–0
2018 World Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 115–18 Turkey Fatih Erdin TF 12–2 October 20–21, 2018 2018 World Championships

Hungary Budapest, Hungary

Win 114–18 Russia Dauren Kurugliev 7–5
Win 113–18 Cuba Yurieski Torreblanca 8–0
Win 112–18 Belarus Hajy Rajabau TF 10–0
Win 111–18 Iran Hassan Yazdani 11–6
2018 Yaşar Doğu International 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 110–18 Azerbaijan Murad Suleymanov Fall July 27–29, 2018 2018 Yaşar Doğu International

Turkey Istanbul, Turkey

Win 109–18 Turkey Ahmet Bilici Fall
Win 108–18 Slovakia Boris Makojev Fall
Win 107–18 Kazakhstan Azamat Dauletbekow Fall
2018 US World Team Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 106–18 United States Nick Reenan TF 12–0 June 15–16, 2018 2018 Final X: State College

United States State College, Pennsylvania

Win 105–18 United States Nick Reenan TF 13–2
2018 Pan American Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 104–18 Cuba Yurieski Torreblanca 3–2 May 3–6, 2018 2018 Pan American Continental Championships

Peru Lima, Peru

Win 103–18 Dominican Republic Julio Rodriguez Romero 3–0
Win 102–18 Peru Pool Ambrocio TF 11–0
Win 101–18 Chile Eduardo Gajardo TF 12–2
2018 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 100–18 United States Richard Perry 8–0 April 24–28, 2018 2018 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 99–18 United States T.J. Dudley TF 12–2
Win 98–18 United States Noe Garcia 2–0
Win 97–18 United States Austin Coburn TF 10–0
Win 96–18 United States Evan Hansen TF 10–0
2018 World Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 95–18 Azerbaijan Aleksandr Gostiyev TF 12–2 April 7, 2018 2018 World Cup

United States Iowa City, Iowa

Win 94–18 Georgia (country) David Khutsishvili TF 11–1
Win 93–18 Japan Masao Matsusaka TF 12–2
Win 92–18 India Pawan Kumar TF 10–0
2018 Ivan Yarygin Gran Prix 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 91–18 Turkey Fatih Erdin Fall January 28, 2018 Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 2018

Russia Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Win 90–18 Russia Artur Naifonov Fall
Win 89–18 Turkey Koloi Kartoev 4–1
Win 88–18 Cuba Yurieski Torreblanca 4–4
2017 World Clubs Cup 2nd place, silver medalist(s) for TMWC at 86 kg
Win 87–18 Iran Alireza Karimi 3–1 December 7–8, 2017 2017 World Clubs Cup

Iran Tehran, Iran

Win 86–18 Monaco Gankhuyag Ganbaatar Fall
Win 85–18 Bulgaria Petar Savakov 4–0
Win 84–18 India Pawan Kumar TF 10–0
Win 83–18 Canada Alexander Moore TF 14–4
2017 US World Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 86 kg
Loss 82–18 United States J'den Cox 3–5 June 9–10, 2017 2017 US World Team Trials

United States Lincoln, Nebraska

Loss 82–17 United States J'den Cox 3–4
Win 82–16 United States J'den Cox 9–3
Win 81–16 United States Nick Heflin 13–9 2017 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament
Win 80–16 United States Pat Downey TF 10–0
Win 79–16 United States Joe Rau TF 13–0
Win 78–16 Japan Takahiro Murayama Fall May 17, 2017 2017 Beat The Streets: Times Square

United States New York City, New York

2017 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 77–16 United States Richard Perry TF 10–0 April 26–29, 2017 2017 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 76–16 United States Nick Heflin TF 15–4
Win 75–16 United States Pat Downey TF 10–0
Win 74–16 United States Chance McClure TF 10–0
Win 73–16 United States Anthony Cress 5–0
2017 World Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 72–16 Iran Hassan Yazdani Fall February 16–17, 2017 2017 World Cup

Iran Kermanshah, Iran

Win 71–16 Azerbaijan Sharif Sharifov TF 12–2
Win 70–16 Russia Vladislav Valiev TF 14–4
Win 69–16 Georgia (country) Dato Marsagishvili 8–3
2017 Paris Grand Prix 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 68–16 United States Richard Perry 8–5 January 28–29, 2017 2017 International Paris Grand Prix

France Paris, France

Win 67–16 France Akhmed Aibuev TF 12–2
Win 66–16 Hungary István Veréb TF 10–0
Win 65–16 Hungary Mihaly Nagy TF 10–0
2016 World Clubs Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) for TMWC at 86 kg
Win 64–16 Iran Alireza Karimi 12–6 November 30 – December 1, 2016 2016 World Clubs Cup

Ukraine Kharkiv, Ukraine

Win 63–16 Ukraine Bohdan Hrytsay TF 19–6
Loss 62–16 Ukraine Dmytro Rochniak 2–6
Win 62–15 Georgia (country) Nika Kentchadze Fall
2016 Spain Grand Prix 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 61–15 Hungary István Veréb 8–6 July 9–10, 2016 2016 Grand Prix of Spain

Spain Madrid, Spain

Win 60–15 Mongolia Orgodolyn Üitümen 14–7
Win 59–15 United States Anthony Valencia 10–3
Win 58–15 Iran Vahid Shahmohammadiizad 6–2
2016 US Olympic Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 86 kg
Win 57–15 United States Andrew Howe 5–2 April 8–10, 2016 2016 US Olympic Team Trials

United States Iowa City, Iowa

Loss 56–15 United States Kyle Dake 4–11
Win 56–14 United States Austin Trotman 5–2
2015 US Nationals 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 86 kg
Loss 55–14 United States Kyle Dake 4–11 December 18–19, 2015 2015 US Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifier

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 55–13 United States Richard Perry TF 11–0
Win 54–13 United States Ed Ruth TF 13–0
2015 Golden Grand Prix 5th at 86 kg
Loss 53–13 Iran Ehsan Lashgari TF 0–10 November 27–29, 2015 2015 Golden Grand Prix

Azerbaijan Baku, Azerbaijan

Loss 53–12 Azerbaijan Gardiiyev Nurmagomed 0–6
Win 53–11 Uzbekistan Umidjon Ismanov 8–4
2015 Stepan Sargsyan Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 52–11 Russia Kakhaber Khubezhty TF 12–2 July 18–19, 2015 2015 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament

Armenia Yerevan, Armenia

Win 51–11 Ukraine Giya Chikhladze Fall
Win 50–11 Russia Ruslan Rubaev Fall
2015 Spain Grand Prix 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 49–11 Italy Carmelo Lumia 12–6 July 11, 2015 2015 Grand Prix of Spain

Spain Madrid, Spain

Win 48–11 China Zhang Chongyao 9–1
Win 47–11 South Korea Gong Byung Min 10–1
Win 46–11 Spain Rafael Mota TF 13–0
2015 US World Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 45–11 United States Andrew Howe 6–0 June 12–14, 2015 2015 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Madison, Wisconsin

Loss 44–11 United States Kyle Dake 2–8
Win 44–10 United States Tyler Caldwell 5–2
Win 43–10 Cuba Liván López TF 18–7 May 12, 2015 2015 Beat The Streets: Salsa in the Square

United States New York City, New York

2015 US Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 42–10 United States Andre Howe 2–0 May 5–9, 2015 2015 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 41–10 United States Tyler Caldwell TF 12–2
Win 40–10 Colombia Nestor Tafur TF 10–0
Win 39–10 United States Jacob Butenhoff Fall
2015 Grand Prix Yaşar Doğu 5th at 74 kg
Loss 38–10 Russia Khetag Tsabolov 3–9 March 28–29, 2015 2015 Grand Prix Yaşar Doğu

Turkey Istanbul, Turkey

Loss 38–9 Russia Denis Tsargush 3–6
Win 38–8 Iran Bahman Teymouri Fall
Win 37–8 Turkey Abdullah Arslan 12–4
Win 36–8 Georgia (country) Marad Zoidze 6–5
2014 US World Team Trials 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74 kg
Loss 35–8 United States Jordan Burroughs 5–6 May 30–31, 2014 2014 US World Team Trials

United States Madison, Wisconsin

Loss 35–7 United States Jordan Burroughs 2–6
Win 35–6 United States Andre Howe 3–1 2014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament
Win 34–6 United States Quinton Godley TF 10–0
Win 33–6 Azerbaijan Jabrayil Hasanov 6–0 May 7, 2014 2014 Beat The Streets: USA vs. The World

United States New York City, New York

2014 US Open 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74 kg
Loss 32–6 United States Jordan Burroughs 6–7 April 16–19, 2014 2014 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 32–5 United States Tyler Caldwell 6–0
Win 31–5 United States Paul Rademacher Fall
Win 30–5 United States Marcus Bausaman TF 13–0
2013 Universidae Games 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 29–5 Mongolia Gombodorj Dorjvaanchig 10–3 July 11–16, 2013 2013 Summer Universiade

Russia Kazan, Russia

Win 28–5 Iran Reza Afzali Paemami 7–5
Loss 27–5 Russia Denis Tsargush 4–7
Win 27–4 Greece Apostolos Taskoudis Fall
Win 26–4 Georgia (country) Zurab Erbotsonashvili 8–4
2013 US World Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 25–4 United States Andrew Howe TF 9-– June 20–22, 2013 2013 US World Team Trials Challenge

United States Stillwater, Oklahoma

Win 24–4 United States Trent Paulson 4–0
Win 23–4 United States Ryan Morningstar 4–2
Loss 22–4 United States Kyle Dake 4–7
Win 22–3 United States Moza Fay TF 9–1
2013 US University Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 74 kg
Win 21–3 United States Quinton Godley Fall May 24–26, 2013 2013 US University National Championships

United States Akron, Ohio

Win 20–3 United States Quinton Godley 3–0
Win 19–3 United States Ian Miller TF 14–4
Win 18–3 United States Logan Molina Fall
Win 17–3 United States Geno Morelli TF 13–3
Win 16–3 United States Jesse Stafford Fall
Win 15–3 United States Robert Schlitt TF 10–0
Win 14–3 United States Santonio Cathery TF 11–0
Win 13–3 Russia Magomed Kurbanaliev Fall May 15, 2013 2013 Beat The Streets: Rumble on the Rails

United States New York City, New York

2013 US Open 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 74 kg
Loss 12–3 United States Jordan Burroughs 1–3, 0–1 April 17–20, 2013 2013 US Open National Championships

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 12–2 United States Nick Marable 2–0, 4–0
Win 11–2 United States Ryan Morningstar 1–0, 1–0
Win 10–2 United States Holden Packard TF 9–0, 7–0
2012 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 74 kg
Loss 9–2 United States Kyle Dake Fall April 21, 2012 2012 US Olympic Team Trials

United States Iowa City, Iowa

Win 9–1 United States Colt Sponseller 2–0, 1–1, 4–2
Win 8–1 United States Mike Poeta 4–3, 3–1
Loss 7–1 United States Andrew Howe 0–1, 0–5
Win 7–0 United States Moza Fay 0–4, 5–3, 3–1
2010 US University Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 70 kg
Win 6–0 United States Matt Lester 3–0, 5–1 April 8–11, 2010 2010 US University National Championships

United States Akron, Ohio

Win 5–0 United States Dean Pavlou TF 7–0, 6–0
Win 4–0 United States Seth Vernon 1–0, 4–3
Win 3–0 United States Matt Ballweg 2–1, 1–1, 3–1
Win 2–0 United States Timmy Boone 2–2, 3–0, 8–2
Win 1–0 United States Nathan Millman TF 7–0, 6–0

NCAA record[edit]

NCAA Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2014 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Win 18-2 Tyler Caldwell 6-0 March 20–22, 2014 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 17-2 Steve Monk MD 13-5
Win 16-2 Michael Moreno Fall
Win 15-2 Jim Wilson Fall
Win 14-2 Joe Brewster Fall
2013 NCAA Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Loss 13-2 Kyle Dake 4-5 March 21–23, 2013 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 13-1 Peter Yates Fall
Win 12-1 Conrad Polz Fall
Win 11-1 Zachary Strickland Fall
Win 10-1 John Staudenmayer Fall
2012 NCAA Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Win 9-1 Brandon Hatchett TF 22-7 March 15–17, 2012 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 8-1 Bekzod Abdurakhmonov Fall
Win 7-1 Robert Kokesh Fall
Win 6-1 Brandon Wright Fall
Win 5-1 Corey Lear Fall
2011 NCAA Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at 157 lbs
Loss 4-1 Bubba Jenkins Fall March 17–20, 2011 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 4-0 Steven Fittery 7-1
Win 3-0 Derek St. John 6-3
Win 2-0 David Bonin TF 20-5
Win 1-0 Neil Erisman MD 13-2

Awards and honors[edit]

2021
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Olympic games
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Pan American Championships
2019
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Pan American Championships
2018
  • UWW Best Wrestler of the Year
  • John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) World Wrestling Championships
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) World Cup Championships
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Pan American Championships
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Yasar Dogu
2017
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) World Cup Championships
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Grand Prix of Paris
2016
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Grand Prix of Spain
2015
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Stepan Sargsyan Tournament
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Grand Prix of Spain
2014
2013
2012
2011

Endorsements[edit]

In 2015, Taylor and Adidas released a line of wrestling apparel labeled "M2" after Taylor's college nickname "Magic Man".[90] Taylor received the nickname after a collegiate match in which he turned an unfavorable situation for himself into an advantage.[91] The apparel line began with wrestling shoes and has since expanded to clothing, posters and Adidas sponsored events.

See also[edit]

List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians

References[edit]

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