The two Americans who had been most impressive at the first Olympic qualifying tournament fell short on Friday as Jesse Thielke became the only one of the three Greco-Roman competitors still looking for a ticket to Rio to find it.

Thielke, competing in the 59kg division, was strong to start the day winning 8-0 and 13-6 to open. He then recorded a fall in the quarterfinals setting up an Olympics-or-bust matchup with Donior Islamov of Modolva. Thielke seized the moment and in a high scoring match secured his Olympic spot with a 17-8 victory. Thielke was shutout in the final 8-0 but his mission to reach Rio was complete.

For RaVaughn Perkins in the 66kg division things started off well with 11-2 and 9-4 victories to reach the quarterfinals. There he ran into Ruslan Tsarev of Kyrgzstan, some real tough competition. Tsarev won the Asian Championship in this weight division two years ago and has been a medalist the last two years in heavier weight classes. Tsarev did not compete in the first Olympic qualifying tournament but got the better of Perkins in this match 4-3 to move into the semifinals. Tsarev was a 10-0 winner in the semifinals, meaning it sure seems he and Perkins were wrestling for an Olympic spot in their quarterfinal match.

The final US competitor, Joe Rau in the 98kg division, advanced in his opening match 9-0 but was shutout 8-0 by Kevin Castillo of Honduras in the next round. Castillo is a perennial World Championship competitor and one of the better wrestlers in his weight class in the Americas.

The two US women looking for a spot will compete on Saturday. Kelsey Campbell is competing for a spot at 58kg while Tamyra Mensah goes for a spot at 69kg. Mensah finished third in her weight class in the first qualifier while Campbell lost a tight early match on a tiebreaker.

Previous Wrestling Coverage:
Preview