The most stacked match of Thursday's Beat The Streets (WATCH LIVE HERE) won’t feature Jordan Burroughs.  Six-time state champ Mark Hall won’t be involved either.  Three-time World Champ Adeline Gray?  Not her bout either.

World and Olympic Champion Kim Hyeon Woo of Korea will be taking on USA’s Greco star Andy Bisek at 75kg.  Bisek got USA Greco over the hump in 2014 when he won Bronze at 75kg in Uzbekistan.  A year later, he followed it up with yet another Bronze in one of the toughest weights in the World.  

Woo fell short last year at the World Championships, falling to Kartikov of Kazakhstan.  Woo wasn’t pulled back into repechage when Kartikov fell to perhaps the most dominant performer at last years championships, Roman Vlasov.  

Despite not landing on the podium, Woo’s game has not slipped one iota.  He and Bisek have comparable skill sets.  Woo will look to control Bisek’s right arm from neutral.  He’ll pull a 2 on 1, underhook, or  acquire wrist control.  From there he typically will hold position and take ground.  Occasionally, Woo will take risks to score from his feet as well.  He has a strong body lock and isn’t afraid to go fireman’s carry without the leg.  

A few of Woo's more impressive victories

On top is where Woo (like Bisek) is most problematic.   He will line up traditionally for the most part and work for a low gut.  However, he can transition from a low gut attempt to a reverse lift as seamlessly as you’ll see at this level.  He also does a great job of getting lifts and scoring 2 off of correct holds from the top position. This is the type of exchange that ultimately won him the Olympic title. 

From neutral, Bisek is slightly more reserved.  He will look to drag first and foremost. He can score off his arm-drag against a high percentage of his opponents.  Bisek’s end game, however, is to get on top.  From the top position he can execute his low gut against just about anyone in the world, including Roman Vlasov.  

Bisek's win over Speiller to make 2016 Olympic Team
Bisek stuns Olympic Champion Roman Vlasov at the 2014 World Championships


I view Woo as being slightly more dynamic from neutral, with a few more tricks and holds.  However, I don’t see that playing a factor in this bout.  It’s like the running back that runs a 4.2 40 yard dash.  That speed doesn’t mean much if you can’t get out of the backfield.  Bisek’s strength and positioning will prevent Woo from getting to the areas where he is particularly dangerous on his feet.


I think this bout will be a matter of who can hold center and get choice of position.  Whoever does this, will win the bout.  I think this match is about as even as any we’ll have on Thursday.  This could also be a Rio preview as Woo is likely to be the Olympic representative for South Korea.  Andy Bisek won the Olympic trials in April over Geordan Speiller.

The broadcast will begin at 3:45 PM EST on Thursday, May 19 with matches that highlight wrestlers from the Beat the Streets program. At 4:45pm, the New York City PSAL Girls Dual Meet Championships will take place, with Iran taking on the United States following at 6pm EST. During the Iran vs USA match, BTSNY will present their annual outstanding awards to student athletes from the BTS program.