BUDAPEST, Hungary – Senior team rookies Scott Schiller and Amar Dhesi each faced a difficult defeat on the opening day of the Senior World Championships.

Schiller, of Windsor, Ont., faced off against Parviz Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan in the 61 kg qualifier. Ibrahimov took a commanding 6-0 in the first period, but Schiller fought back in the second half to make it 6-4, before exchanging takedowns for an 8-6 loss.

“It didn’t go quite according to plan,” said Schiller, 28. “I had a strategy and I didn’t exactly stick to it so I’m a little frustrated. I didn’t watch the snap down and keep inside control. I kept dropping my guard, and that’s what cost me.”

The match was Schiller’s first at a senior international championship.

“Seeing as it’s my first senior championships, going through the whole experience, getting my weight down, I just need to be a little more mentally prepared.”

“I think Scott fought hard the whole match,” said Schiller’s coach at Montreal YMHA, David Zilbermann.

“At the beginning he gave up too many points, but he came back and surprised his opponent. We had a game plan going in, and Scott struggled with it a bit but then he turned it around. I think it was his match.”

Schiller’s opponent Ibrahimov was a bronze medallist at 2017 U23 World Championships.

“I think this should give him confidence. Know he knows he can hang with these guys and give them a run for their money.”

Dhesi lost a close battle in the 125 kg 1/8 final to China’s Zhiwei Deng. The two exchanged passivity points, but the pressure was on Dhesi as he trailed on criteria.

“I hate losing,” lamented Dhesi. “I was pushing the pace with my hands, but I should have attacked more. I’ve been preparing for this match for a long time. I guess I’m not that far off. I have a lot to work on overall.”

The match was Dhesi’s return to the World Championships, after winning gold at the 2014 Junior World Championships.

“Amar didn’t quite wrestle the way he wanted to,” said Dave McKay, Dhesi’s coach at the Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club.

“He needed to be a little more aggressive, and get some points on the board. The way the matches flow, the first person gets the point on passivity and then they often even it up. The even up point put him in a position where he has to score. That’s where he needs to gain experience and get a bit stronger to complete his takedowns and score.”

“I think he was comfortable in the situation, he wasn’t intimidated. From this he can see the athletes he has to beat in his weight-class over the next couple of years to qualify and challenge at the Olympics. He needs to improve in a few very specific areas.”

Canadians are back in action at the Senior World Championships with Darthe Capellan (57 kg), Michael Asselstine (65 kg), Jasmit Phulka (79 kg) and Jacob Luczak (92 kg) competing in the qualification rounds.