IRTC'S KARDANOV WINS EUROPEAN BRONZE

The ILLINI RTC got on the board in, of all places, the European Championships when Ermak Kardanov won the Bronze at 92 kg! Kardanov represented Slovakia and the IRTC in Zagreb and went 3-1 on the day, winning his bronze match against Matthew Finesilver of Israel (and Michigan). 

Sure, it was nice to see Sean Bormet disappointed.

But it was better to see Ermak celebrate! He took a 1-0 lead in the first period, grabbing a single and running Finesilver across the mat and out of bounds. In the second, Finesilver shot in on a single, and the IRTC athlete used a crotch lift to expose for two, making the score 3-0. 

Bormet challenged and lost.

With the score 4-0 for the good guy, the bad guy took another lunging shot, which Ermak defended and then turned into his own single, converting it for the final score of 6-0. Kardanov then celebrates!

It can be seen here in this handy video:

Now, wasn't that fun! If you don't follow Ermak Kardanov on Instagram, you're missing out. He's a practical joker, a good-time-haver, and he works hard. You can follow him here. See what I mean about him being a hard worker and a good-time-haver: 

Here's a couple of additional comments. First of all, the Bormet challenge was for the crotch lift, which was a clear two points for Ermak. Even the color analyst on the broadcast--who sounded Irish if you can believe that--agreed that it was an obvious exposure. An Irishman announcing wrestling, wonder of wonders. 

Or, maybe he was Scottish.  

Secondly, Kardanov tried a footsweep, and that always gets special mention on this forum. That footsweep may have unbalanced Finesilver enough (mentally and physically) for Ermak to get the next score, which happened in short order. 

Thirdly, I have never seen Kardanov and Jacob Warnerov in the same place. In fact, I once saw Warner get into a car, and Ermak came out of it! Yes, that's a stupid conspiracy theory, but they look similar physically, and they have similar wrestling styles. 

Fourthly, I think Ermak is saying "I'm a special boy" in English at the end of the video. 

But, finally and most importantly: Congratulations to Ermak!

And to the IRTC, Coaches Medlin and Poeta, and his training partners, who included the Brawlnagels and the Ruths and Dylan Connell, among others, and to Slovakia, and his coaches from the national team. Cheers and GO IRTC!!!