Virginia Tech wrestler Sam Fisher claimed 86-kilogram gold at the United World Wrestling U20 Pan-American Championships in Oaxtepec, Mexico Sunday.
This was the Hokie’s first tournament abroad representing the United States after an impressive summer that saw him make his first age-group national team.
Fisher started his tournament against Guatemala’s Cesar Andres Ubico Estrada in the quarterfinals. He led 5-1 at the break courtesy of one takedown and three step-out points. He then iced the bout with another takedown and two more step-out points to win 9-3.
Fisher made quick work in the semifinals with a dominant victory over Aiden Stevenson of Canada. A takedown 45 seconds into the match gave Fisher a 2-0 lead before he finished the bout with a pin courtesy of an underhook throwby to cross ankle pick that pushed Fisher into the finals.
The Hokie continued his dominant run and ended his continental championship in emphatic fashion as he won via technical superiority over Jhon Sebastian Sanchez Solis of Ecuador in the finals. Fisher scored two takedowns and added three gut wrenches to take the 10-0 victory in just over 1:05 of the first period to claim gold in his first international competition.