Ruiz & Rupp win silvers, Forrest & Smith take bronzes at Grand Prix of Slovenia
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
Justin Ruiz and Robbie Smith battle at the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials. Ruiz won a silver and Smith won a bronze at the Grand Prix of Slovenia this weekend. Larry Slater photo.
MURSKA SOBATA, Slovenia - The United States won four medals in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Grand Prix of Slovenia, Feb. 19-20.
Claiming silver medals were Justin Ruiz (Boise, Idaho/New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Brandon Rupp (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Capturing bronze medals were Steven Forrest (Camp LeJeune, N.C./U.S. Marines) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Robbie Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Ruiz, a 2005 World bronze medalist, opened with two wins, stopping Roland Bin of Serbia, 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals, then beating Peter Kalman of Hungary, 6-0, 3-0.
He was defeated in the gold-medal bout by Nikita Melnikov of Russia, 0-5, 0-1. Melnikov was fifth in the 2007 Junior World Championships.
Rupp, a 2010 U.S. Open champion, also opened with two victories. He dominated Tatar Gergo of Hungary, 8-0, 5-0 in the quarterfinals, then pinned Olderich Kucera of the Czech Republic in the semifinals.
He was beaten in the finals by Anton Dzok of Croatia, 2-3, 0-1. Dzok was eighth at the 2007 Junior World Championships.
Both Forrest and Smith won bronze medal matches uncontested, based upon the number of athletes in their draw.
Forrest opened with a victory over Aleksandr Maksimovic of Serbia, 2-0, 1-0, then was beaten in the semifinals by Petr Novak of the Czech Republic, 1-0, 0-4, 0-1.
Smith lost his only bout to the eventual champion Nikita Melnikov of Russia, 0-6, 0-1.
Two U.S. athletes placed fifth after losing their bronze-medal bouts, Chad Vandiver (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Daniel Sotonieves (Camp LeJeune, N.C./U.S. Marines) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
The U.S. athletes competing in Slovenia this weekend will go on to Bourgas, Bulgaria to wrestle in the Dan Kolov International, Feb. 25-27.
GRAND PRIX OF SLOVENIA
At Murska Sobata, Slovenia, Feb. 19-20
55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Roman Amoyan (Armenia)
Silver - Lee Jung-Beik (Korea)
Bronze - Jan Hocko (Czech Republic)
Bronze - Bekkhan Mankiev (Russia)
5th - Andrey Buleev (Russia)
5th - Alaev Mechman (Israel)
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Ryu Han-Su (Korea)
Silver - Benjamin Sokman (Croatia)
Bronze - Vlad Tsaryuk (Israel)
Bronze - Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia)
5th - Chad Vandiver (USA)
6th - Marco Lara (USA)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Adam Kurak (Russia)
Silver - Viktor Nemes (Serbia)
Bronze - Ziga Pepel (Slovenia)
Bronze - Vahan Juharyan (Armenia)
5th - Daniel Sotonieves (USA)
5th - Sasun Ghambaryan (Armenia)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Kong Nae-Koo (Korea)
Silver - Petr Novak (Czech Republic)
Bronze - Steven Forrest (USA)
Bronze - Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia)
5th - Tomas Sobecky (Czech Republic)
6th - Aleksandr Maksimovic (Serbia)
84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Artur Shahinyan (Armenia)
Silver - Azamat Bikbaev (Russia)
Bronze - Jure Kuhar (Slovenia)
Bronze - Petr Balo (Serbia)
5th - Vojtech Kukla (Czech Republic)
5th - Sejepan Lavric (Croatia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Nikita Melnikov (Russia)
Silver - Justin Ruiz (USA)
Bronze - Robbie Smith (USA)
Bronze - Roland Bin (Serbia)
5th - Peter Kalman (Hungary)
6th - Dejan Franjkovic (Serbia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Anton Dzok (Croatia)
Silver - Brandon Rupp (USA)
Bronze - Milos Spasic (Serbia)
Bronze - Oldrich Kucera (Czech Republic)
5th - Marco Koscevic (Croatia)
5th - Tatar Gergo (Hungary)
U.S. Greco-Roman performances
60 kg/132 lbs. - Chad Vandiver, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5th
LOSS Ryu Han-Su (Korea), 0-1, 0-4
LOSS Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia), 0-6, 0-6
60 kg/132 lbs. - Marco Lara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 6th
LOSS Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia), 0-3, 0-3
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Daniel Sotonieves, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 5th
WIN Matej Markanovic (Croatia), 1-0, 1-0
LOSS Viktor Nemes (Serbia), 1-0, 0-1, 0-1
LOSS Ziga Pepel (Slovenia), 0-4, 4-0, 0-3
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Matt Holt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached), 9th
WIN Ungi Lajos (Hungary), 0-3, 1-0, 1-0
LOSS Vahan Juharyan (Armenia), 0-5, 0-1
74 kg/163 lbs. - Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm), 7th
LOSS Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia), 0-4, 0-3
74 kg/163 lbs. - Steven Forrest, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 3rd
WIN Aleksandr Maksimovic (Serbia), 2-0, 1-0
LOSS Petr Novak (Czech Republic), 1-0, 0-4, 0-1
84 kg/185 lbs. - Chas Betts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm), 7th
LOSS Petr Balo (Serbia), 0-1, 1-0, 0-1
84 kg/185 lbs. - C.J. Meyers, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 10th
LOSS Vojtech Kukla (Czech Republic), 0-4, 0-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Boise, Idaho (New York AC), 2nd
WIN Roland Bin (Serbia), 6-0, 6-0
WIN Peter Kalman (Hungary), 6-0, 3-0
LOSS Nikita Melnikov (Russia), 0-5, 0-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3rd
LOSS Nikita Melnikov (Russia), 0-6, 0-1
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd
WIN Tatar Gergo (Hungary), 8-0, 5-0
WIN Olderich Kucera (Czech Republic), pin
LOSS Anton Dzok (Croatia), 2-3, 0-1
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids). 7th
LOSS Marco Koscevic (Croatia), 2-0, 0-2, 0-1
MURSKA SOBATA, Slovenia - The United States won four medals in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Grand Prix of Slovenia, Feb. 19-20.
Claiming silver medals were Justin Ruiz (Boise, Idaho/New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Brandon Rupp (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Capturing bronze medals were Steven Forrest (Camp LeJeune, N.C./U.S. Marines) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Robbie Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Ruiz, a 2005 World bronze medalist, opened with two wins, stopping Roland Bin of Serbia, 6-0, 6-0 in the quarterfinals, then beating Peter Kalman of Hungary, 6-0, 3-0.
He was defeated in the gold-medal bout by Nikita Melnikov of Russia, 0-5, 0-1. Melnikov was fifth in the 2007 Junior World Championships.
Rupp, a 2010 U.S. Open champion, also opened with two victories. He dominated Tatar Gergo of Hungary, 8-0, 5-0 in the quarterfinals, then pinned Olderich Kucera of the Czech Republic in the semifinals.
He was beaten in the finals by Anton Dzok of Croatia, 2-3, 0-1. Dzok was eighth at the 2007 Junior World Championships.
Both Forrest and Smith won bronze medal matches uncontested, based upon the number of athletes in their draw.
Forrest opened with a victory over Aleksandr Maksimovic of Serbia, 2-0, 1-0, then was beaten in the semifinals by Petr Novak of the Czech Republic, 1-0, 0-4, 0-1.
Smith lost his only bout to the eventual champion Nikita Melnikov of Russia, 0-6, 0-1.
Two U.S. athletes placed fifth after losing their bronze-medal bouts, Chad Vandiver (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Daniel Sotonieves (Camp LeJeune, N.C./U.S. Marines) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
The U.S. athletes competing in Slovenia this weekend will go on to Bourgas, Bulgaria to wrestle in the Dan Kolov International, Feb. 25-27.
GRAND PRIX OF SLOVENIA
At Murska Sobata, Slovenia, Feb. 19-20
55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Roman Amoyan (Armenia)
Silver - Lee Jung-Beik (Korea)
Bronze - Jan Hocko (Czech Republic)
Bronze - Bekkhan Mankiev (Russia)
5th - Andrey Buleev (Russia)
5th - Alaev Mechman (Israel)
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Ryu Han-Su (Korea)
Silver - Benjamin Sokman (Croatia)
Bronze - Vlad Tsaryuk (Israel)
Bronze - Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia)
5th - Chad Vandiver (USA)
6th - Marco Lara (USA)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Adam Kurak (Russia)
Silver - Viktor Nemes (Serbia)
Bronze - Ziga Pepel (Slovenia)
Bronze - Vahan Juharyan (Armenia)
5th - Daniel Sotonieves (USA)
5th - Sasun Ghambaryan (Armenia)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Kong Nae-Koo (Korea)
Silver - Petr Novak (Czech Republic)
Bronze - Steven Forrest (USA)
Bronze - Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia)
5th - Tomas Sobecky (Czech Republic)
6th - Aleksandr Maksimovic (Serbia)
84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Artur Shahinyan (Armenia)
Silver - Azamat Bikbaev (Russia)
Bronze - Jure Kuhar (Slovenia)
Bronze - Petr Balo (Serbia)
5th - Vojtech Kukla (Czech Republic)
5th - Sejepan Lavric (Croatia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Nikita Melnikov (Russia)
Silver - Justin Ruiz (USA)
Bronze - Robbie Smith (USA)
Bronze - Roland Bin (Serbia)
5th - Peter Kalman (Hungary)
6th - Dejan Franjkovic (Serbia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Anton Dzok (Croatia)
Silver - Brandon Rupp (USA)
Bronze - Milos Spasic (Serbia)
Bronze - Oldrich Kucera (Czech Republic)
5th - Marco Koscevic (Croatia)
5th - Tatar Gergo (Hungary)
U.S. Greco-Roman performances
60 kg/132 lbs. - Chad Vandiver, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5th
LOSS Ryu Han-Su (Korea), 0-1, 0-4
LOSS Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia), 0-6, 0-6
60 kg/132 lbs. - Marco Lara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 6th
LOSS Rustam Khuchbarov (Russia), 0-3, 0-3
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Daniel Sotonieves, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 5th
WIN Matej Markanovic (Croatia), 1-0, 1-0
LOSS Viktor Nemes (Serbia), 1-0, 0-1, 0-1
LOSS Ziga Pepel (Slovenia), 0-4, 4-0, 0-3
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Matt Holt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached), 9th
WIN Ungi Lajos (Hungary), 0-3, 1-0, 1-0
LOSS Vahan Juharyan (Armenia), 0-5, 0-1
74 kg/163 lbs. - Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm), 7th
LOSS Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia), 0-4, 0-3
74 kg/163 lbs. - Steven Forrest, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 3rd
WIN Aleksandr Maksimovic (Serbia), 2-0, 1-0
LOSS Petr Novak (Czech Republic), 1-0, 0-4, 0-1
84 kg/185 lbs. - Chas Betts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm), 7th
LOSS Petr Balo (Serbia), 0-1, 1-0, 0-1
84 kg/185 lbs. - C.J. Meyers, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 10th
LOSS Vojtech Kukla (Czech Republic), 0-4, 0-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Boise, Idaho (New York AC), 2nd
WIN Roland Bin (Serbia), 6-0, 6-0
WIN Peter Kalman (Hungary), 6-0, 3-0
LOSS Nikita Melnikov (Russia), 0-5, 0-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3rd
LOSS Nikita Melnikov (Russia), 0-6, 0-1
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 2nd
WIN Tatar Gergo (Hungary), 8-0, 5-0
WIN Olderich Kucera (Czech Republic), pin
LOSS Anton Dzok (Croatia), 2-3, 0-1
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids). 7th
LOSS Marco Koscevic (Croatia), 2-0, 0-2, 0-1
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