Daton Fix Beats Thomas Gilman Two Matches to One to Make World Team at 57 KG

On Saturday night Daton Fix wrestled Thomas Gilman at Final X in a best-of-three series to determine the US World Team representative at 57 KG.

Gilman, the Oklahoma State fan favorite, had these comments on Fix at the pre-match press conference.

Thomas Gilman. ICE COLD ❄️ pic.twitter.com/hS1O0n1Too

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) June 14, 2019

Match 1

To follow along with the tone of the press conference, the first match was heated. A lot of clubs and some very physical wrestling early. Gilman got the first score in the match after nearly taking Fix down and winding up with him in a quad-pod position. Fix avoided giving up the take-down, but it led to a push-out putting Gilman up 1-0.

It was all Fix from there, he scored from just about everywhere. He scored off a counter, got a gut-wrench, picked up a really nice take-down off a high-crotch, and to close out the match avoided another take-down from the quad-pod position and ended up scoring one of his own to go out with a 9-1 win.

His saddle was warm.

Daton Fix rolls in match one.

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) June 16, 2019

Fix looked very good in this first match, and what stood out the most to me was his ability to control their position on the mat. Previously Gilman seemed to have the ability to push Daton around a bit. He just couldn’t here, which allowed Daton to wrestle in the center more and rack up points.

Match 2

In a very different match than the opening one, Gilman scored an early point when Fix was called for an illegal club. Daton then struck back in the second with a take-down to go up 2-1. Gilman later scored with a take-down of his own to go up 3-2. Fix was unable to score again and Gilman won the match 3-2.

Match 3

In the final match there was some early hand-fighting with no scoring, then Daton was put on the shot clock. As he’s on the shot clock Gilman takes a shot and Fix scores on an absolutely massive counter to go up 2-0.

In the second Gilman went on the shot-clock and gave up one to Fix while simultaneously Gilman got a push-out. Gilman then got a take-down to go up 3-3 on criteria.

Then it got wild. Gilman shoots! (Why, I have no idea?!? He was up on criteria at the time). As he does Fix gets him stretched out and scores on a reversal. Gilman’s corner throws the challenge brick and the call is confirmed giving Fix a 6-3 win.

Daton Fix will represent the U.S. at the world championships. pic.twitter.com/4vATRilyCo

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) June 16, 2019

With this series win Fix will now be the US Senior World Team representative at 57 KG at the World Championships in Kazakhstan. Fix is the first OSU wrestler since Coleman Scott in 2012 to make a Senior Olympic/World team. Scott won a bronze medal that year.

Fix is the only wrestler who is still in college that made the Senior Men’s Freestyle Team.