David Taylor has won everything in wrestling but still has unfinished business.
After dominating all before him at the U.S. world team trials to secure his place at the non-Olympic weight event in Albania later this month, the “Magic Man” will finally meet Abdulrashid Sadulaev in a match.
The duo have arguably been the world's best wrestlers since 2018. Taylor has secured three world titles and Olympic gold at 86kg, while Sadulaev is a five-time world champion and two-weight Olympic champion.
Taylor used social media to call out Sadulaev for a match in 2020 but a clash never materialised. Now, at 92kg, a new weight category for both, the match fans have longed for will finally come to fruition in the first round.
“I've been in a lot of big matches in my life and wrestled all the legends in our sport. And he's just the one guy I hadn't got to. So I really want to make it happen," Taylor told Olympics.com after his victory at trials.
“We’ve been considered two of two of the best in the world for a while but there’s been that weight class separation and other things. It’s a pretty crazy series of events that have led to us both being in this weight category for this event, a very low statistical probability. But now we could get to wrestle."
Sadulaev won Rio 2016 gold at 86kg representing Russia, and 97kg at Tokyo 2020 in 2021 wearing the ROC colours. He was unable to compete at Paris 2024 after being deemed ineligible to compete as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) in time for the Olympic qualifiers. He will compete as an AIN in Albania.
“We have very different styles. His counter offence, gut wrenches, and chest raps are the best in the world. My offensive leg grabs are at a very high level, so it’s his best attributes versus mine. It's going to come down to who executes.”
“I think it's something the whole world wants to watch and pay attention to. And it's something that I got to prepare and get ready for.
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Following his shock elimination from the U.S. Olympic Trials in April, Taylor accepted the head coach position at Oklahoma State University. Many wrestling fans feared they had seen the last of him on the mat.
However, being absent from competition and sharing his passion for the sport with his students encouraged the Nevada native to enter the non-Olympic weight world trials.
“Stepping away and coaching gave me a different perspective on competing and helped me rediscover my love for the sport," the American continued.
“I was getting a lot of repetitions just showing technique. Then I was wrestling with the guys and talking about shoulder placement and position, head position and critiquing all these little things. I started to see all the little things that I took for granted differently."
“I started rethinking some of those moves and helped the guys brainstorm through different situations. It created this unique fire of creativity I hadn't felt in a while.” - David Taylor to Olympics.com
David Taylor to finish career on own terms
Technically, Taylor never retired from international competition.
The three-time world champion had lost motivation after a dominant six years and needed a change of scenery after a bitterly disappointing loss.
“In the emotion of the moment after that letdown, I felt like I was done wrestling. I just didn't have any ambition to compete any more,” he continued.
With an eye towards the future, Taylor decided to step into coaching.
His new employers knew that he may step back onto the mat at some point and, a few months after watching the Paris 2024 Olympics on TV, he did just that.
“Change stimulates growth. Oklahoma State gave me a change of scenery and a change of energy and excitement, rather than being somebody who's just being put through workouts.
“I was putting guys through workouts and I felt like I had the fire to compete the way I’m asking these guys to compete, so I should probably do that.
“We knew it would be a good opportunity for the guys to see someone training at this level and competing at the world team trials.”
The Magic Man's new mentality
In addition to having a few new tricks up his sleeve, Taylor has returned to the mat with a deeper appreciation for getting to compete.
“My perspective has changed a bit. Training used to be my livelihood, but now coaching is. My focus has shifted towards the guys I’m around 90% of the time and not myself," he said.
“Maybe that takes some of the pressure off, but I’m certainly more honoured than ever to compete again after a difficult period.”
Taylor is also re-energised by competing at 92kg for the first time.
“I'd wrestled all the best guys at 86kg, there was nothing more for me. It's all new opponents for me at 92kg and really good ones. So I think there's a lot of excitement and just competing in different people,” he said.
“The weight cut’s not nearly as significant as it was for me to get to 86 kilos - 92 is a more natural weight for me. It feels news and that also helps give you a little more energy.”
Rejuvenated and energised, the world championships in Albania provide Taylor with a shot at redemption.
A chance to finish his career on his terms, before channelling all his energy back into restoring Oklahoma State to the top table of college wrestling.
The event, which doesn't include any Paris 2024 Olympic competitors, also allows Team USA's Olympic champion to add to his legacy in the sport, win a new title, and potentially defeat another legend of wrestling in the process.
*“*I think that being very successful your whole life, not performing very well at Trials is not the way I want to end my career,” he said.
“Knowing that this is it for me and knowing that this is the last time I will wrestle, I want to compete on a level that I’m happy with. That’s why I felt fulfilment at the world team trials.
“Win or lose, I want to compete at that level so that I know I’m not holding on to something, and no what ifs. I just want to be present in the moment and enjoy feeling excited.”
