The negative-30 degree Siberian temperatures this weekend were no indication of the heat of the competition at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Former Penn State wrestler David Taylor made his debut in the tournament, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and difficult in freestyle wrestling — and left with a gold medal.
The two-time NCAA national champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner pinned his opponent, Fatih Erdin of Turkey, in 2:00 on Sunday to become only the 12th U.S. man to win a Yarygin title.
Taylor gave up the first two points by way of a front headlock roll from Erdin, but countered with a takedown of his own to tie it 2-2 before turning his opponent and driving him down for the pin.