BUDAPEST, Hungary (Sept. 28) -- A controversial loss cost former Central Oklahoma national champion Mo Lawal a chance at a gold medal in the World Wrestling Championships that continued here Tuesday.

Lawal, a three-year starter and two-time All-American for the Bronchos from 1999-02, won two matches Monday at 185 pounds to advance to the quarterfinals before dropping a last-second 1-0, 0-1, 1-1 decision to 2003 World Champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Sazhid Sazhidov of Russia.

Sazhidov won the first period on a takedown, 1-0, with Lawal taking the second period 1-0 when Sazhidov stepped out of bounds.  In the deciding third period, Lawal scored the only takedown with 45 seconds remaining but officials penalized Lawal with only one second left for fleeing the mat.

The one-point penalty made the score 1-1 and Sazhidov won the period -- and the match -- for scoring the last point.

When Sazhidov lost in the semifinals, Lawal was unable to advance to the wrestlebacks.  Only wrestlers who lose to a gold medal finalist are able to compete in the wrestlebacks for the bronze medal under the new rules of international wrestling.

"I'll be back here next year," Lawal said.  "My first year wrestling, I got pinned in the state meet.  The next year, I came back and won it.  At Central Oklahoma I was the runner-up at nationals and the next year I won it.  I always come back.  I work too hard for this and won't let this discourage me."

Lawal was national qualifier at 184 pounds as a freshman for UCO in 1999-00, was the NCAA Division II runner-up at 184 the next year and won the 197-pound title in 2002.  He transferred to Oklahoma State for his senior season and was a third-place Division I placer for the Cowboys.