Five past World medalists win No-Gi Grappling World Team Trials in Colorado Springs
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
Action photo of Grappling Trials champion Matt Betzold, photo of Grappling Trials champion Brandon Ruiz with his arm raised, and team photo of the 2014 Grappling World Team Trials champions taken by Patricia Fox.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Five past World Grappling medalists won their weight divisions at the 2014 No-Gi Grappling World Team Trials on Saturday.
Claiming the title at 100 kg+ (unlimited) was 2012 Grappling World champion Brandon Ruiz of EDGE MMA & Fitness – Team Edge, who went 2-0 in his three-athlete round robin. Ruiz scored a submission in 3:01 over David Rascon and decisioned Gabe Beauperthuy, 6-0. Ruiz also has won two World silver medals in No-Gi Grappling.
“I felt that I did pretty good. I stuck to my game plan. I’ve been sick and injured, the same old story. I mostly rested this week. Today I felt pretty good,” said Ruiz.
Claiming the title at 62 kg/136.5 lbs. was two-time World silver medalist Matt Betzold of EDGE MMA & Fitness- Team EDGE, who scored a pair of submissions over Jay Rea in 2:32 and 3:08.
“I did pretty decent. I was patient, calm, explosive, fast and strong. I felt good out there,” said Betzold.
Michael Kelly, a three-time Grappling World medalist, won a tough 77 kg/169.5 lbs. weight class, which was a three-athlete roundrobin in which all of the athletes were past World Team members. He defeated Bobby Yamashita, 1-0 and Nicholas Marr, 3-0.
“It was tough. I had two previous World Team members in the bracket. I dropped a couple weight classes down to 77 kg. It was a good trial run for me. My legs were a little weary, but by Worlds they will be set to go,” said Kelly.
A pair of 2013 Grappling World bronze medalists won their weight classes, John Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.and Jayson Patino of American Top Team at 71 kg/156 lbs.
Albert earned two submissions over Bradley Tridle in 2:01 and 1:18.
“I am glad to represent the U.S. team and get back to the Worlds. I have a little bit of bitter taste in my mouth because I took third at the Worlds last year,” said Albert.
Patino won a three-athlete roundrobin with two submissions, defeating Johnny Gurule in 4:04 and Christopher Hargett in 2:51.
“I felt I did alright. The competition was tough and I had a couple guys who are really good at wrestling. I had to execute my game plan. Really, the goal was to get two submissions. I was happy to get the choke and the Achilles lock,” said Patino.
Making the U.S. World Team with victories in their divisions were James Clay of Gene Lebell at 84 kg/185 lbs and Laura Anderson of Brea Wrestling Club at 58 kg/127.5 lbs.
Clay won a pair of matches in his roundrobin, scoring a submission over James Albert in 3:55 and stopping Jacob Landwehr, 9-0.
Anderson scored a pair of victories over Mirielle Graves, 4-0 and 6-1. Anderson is also a nationally respected women’s freestyle wrestler, who competes in college for Simon Fraser Univ.
Claiming their weights uncontested were Scott Garcia of American Pankration at 92 kg/202.5 lbs and Vaider Kymera of American Pankration at 100 kg/220 lbs. in the men’s division and Colleen Schneider of Combat Submission Wrestling at 64 kg/140.75 lbs and Angela Marino of American Pankration at 71+ KG/unlimited in the women’s division.
Champions qualify to represent the United States at the 2014 Pankration World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in the Pankration- Submission division (no-Gi Grappling), October 23-25.
The first USA Grappling Cup was awarded for the top club, won by EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE with 12 points, followed by American Pankration with 5 points.
The United States placed third as a team in No-Gi Grappling at the 2013 FILA World Championships in London, Canada, the last FILA World Championships in this style. The USA has been one of the top powers in international Grappling ever since FILA added the style as a form of wrestling.
NO-GI GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., August 30
Men’s No-Gi Grappling Results
62 kg/136.5 lbs
1st Place - Matt Betzold of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Jay Rea of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Matt Betzold (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) submission over Jay Rea (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 2:32
Matt Betzold (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) submission over Jay Rea (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 3:08
66 kg/145.5 lbs
1st Place - John Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Bradley Tridle of American Pankration
John Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) submission over Bradley Tridle (American Pankration), 2:01
John Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE) submission over Bradley Tridle (American Pankration), 1:18
71 kg/156 lbs
1st Place - Jayson Patino of American Top Team
2nd Place - Christopher Hargett of Palm Desert
3rd Place - Johnny Gurule of NineNine Jiu Jitsu
Jayson Patino (American Top Team) submission over Johnny Gurule (NineNine Jiu Jitsu), 4:04
Christopher Hargett (Palm Desert) submission over Johnny Gurule (NineNine Jiu Jitsu), 3:13
Jayson Patino (American Top Team) submission over Christopher Hargett (Palm Desert), 2:51
77 kg/169.5 lbs
1st Place - Michael Kelly of Old School Wrestling
2nd Place - Bobby Yamashita of Pensacola Academy
3rd Place - Nicholas Marr of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Bobby Yamashita (Pensacola Academy) dec. Nicholas Marr (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 2-1
Michael Kelly (Old School Wrestling) dec. Bobby Yamashita (Pensacola Academy), 1-0
Michael Kelly (Old School Wrestling) dec. Nicholas Marr (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 3-0
84 kg/185 lbs
1st Place - James Clay of Gene Lebell
2nd Place - James Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
3rd Place - Jacob Landwehr of American Pankration
James Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) dec. Jacob Landwehr (American Pankration), 8-0
James Clay (Gene Lebell) submission over James Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 3:55
James Clay (Gene Lebell) dec. Jacob Landwehr (American Pankration), 9-0
92 kg/202.5 lbs
1st Place - Scott Garcia of American Pankration
100 kg/220 lbs
1st Place - Vaider Kymera of American Pankration
100+ kg/unlimited
1st Place - Brandon Ruiz of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Gabe Beauperthuy of Colorado 719
3rd Place - David Rascon of Team Underground
Brandon Ruiz (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) submission over David Rascon (Team Underground ), 3:01
Brandon Ruiz (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) dec. Gabe Beauperthuy (Colorado 719), 6-0
Gabe Beauperthuy (colorado 719) submission over David Rascon (Team Underground), 0:14
Women ‘s No-Gi Grappling results
58 kg/127.5 lbs
1st Place - Laura Anderson of Brea Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Mirielle Graves of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Laura Anderson (Brea Wrestling Club) dec. Mirielle Graves (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 4-0
Laura Anderson (Brea Wrestling Club) dec. Mirielle Graves (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 6-1
64 kg/140.75 lbs
1st Place - Colleen Schneider of Combat Submission Wrestling
71+ KG/unlimited
1st Place - Angela Marino of American Pankration
USA Grappling Cup standings
1. EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE), 12 pts.
2. American Pankration, 5 pts.
3. (tie) American Top Team, Old School and Gene Labelle, 3 pts.
6. (tie) Pensacola Academy, Palm Desert, Brea WC, Colorado 719, 2 pts.
10. (tie) Team Underground, Combat Submission Wrestling, NineNine JiuJitsu, 1 pt.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Five past World Grappling medalists won their weight divisions at the 2014 No-Gi Grappling World Team Trials on Saturday.
Claiming the title at 100 kg+ (unlimited) was 2012 Grappling World champion Brandon Ruiz of EDGE MMA & Fitness – Team Edge, who went 2-0 in his three-athlete round robin. Ruiz scored a submission in 3:01 over David Rascon and decisioned Gabe Beauperthuy, 6-0. Ruiz also has won two World silver medals in No-Gi Grappling.
“I felt that I did pretty good. I stuck to my game plan. I’ve been sick and injured, the same old story. I mostly rested this week. Today I felt pretty good,” said Ruiz.
Claiming the title at 62 kg/136.5 lbs. was two-time World silver medalist Matt Betzold of EDGE MMA & Fitness- Team EDGE, who scored a pair of submissions over Jay Rea in 2:32 and 3:08.
“I did pretty decent. I was patient, calm, explosive, fast and strong. I felt good out there,” said Betzold.
Michael Kelly, a three-time Grappling World medalist, won a tough 77 kg/169.5 lbs. weight class, which was a three-athlete roundrobin in which all of the athletes were past World Team members. He defeated Bobby Yamashita, 1-0 and Nicholas Marr, 3-0.
“It was tough. I had two previous World Team members in the bracket. I dropped a couple weight classes down to 77 kg. It was a good trial run for me. My legs were a little weary, but by Worlds they will be set to go,” said Kelly.
A pair of 2013 Grappling World bronze medalists won their weight classes, John Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.and Jayson Patino of American Top Team at 71 kg/156 lbs.
Albert earned two submissions over Bradley Tridle in 2:01 and 1:18.
“I am glad to represent the U.S. team and get back to the Worlds. I have a little bit of bitter taste in my mouth because I took third at the Worlds last year,” said Albert.
Patino won a three-athlete roundrobin with two submissions, defeating Johnny Gurule in 4:04 and Christopher Hargett in 2:51.
“I felt I did alright. The competition was tough and I had a couple guys who are really good at wrestling. I had to execute my game plan. Really, the goal was to get two submissions. I was happy to get the choke and the Achilles lock,” said Patino.
Making the U.S. World Team with victories in their divisions were James Clay of Gene Lebell at 84 kg/185 lbs and Laura Anderson of Brea Wrestling Club at 58 kg/127.5 lbs.
Clay won a pair of matches in his roundrobin, scoring a submission over James Albert in 3:55 and stopping Jacob Landwehr, 9-0.
Anderson scored a pair of victories over Mirielle Graves, 4-0 and 6-1. Anderson is also a nationally respected women’s freestyle wrestler, who competes in college for Simon Fraser Univ.
Claiming their weights uncontested were Scott Garcia of American Pankration at 92 kg/202.5 lbs and Vaider Kymera of American Pankration at 100 kg/220 lbs. in the men’s division and Colleen Schneider of Combat Submission Wrestling at 64 kg/140.75 lbs and Angela Marino of American Pankration at 71+ KG/unlimited in the women’s division.
Champions qualify to represent the United States at the 2014 Pankration World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in the Pankration- Submission division (no-Gi Grappling), October 23-25.
The first USA Grappling Cup was awarded for the top club, won by EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE with 12 points, followed by American Pankration with 5 points.
The United States placed third as a team in No-Gi Grappling at the 2013 FILA World Championships in London, Canada, the last FILA World Championships in this style. The USA has been one of the top powers in international Grappling ever since FILA added the style as a form of wrestling.
NO-GI GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., August 30
Men’s No-Gi Grappling Results
62 kg/136.5 lbs
1st Place - Matt Betzold of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Jay Rea of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Matt Betzold (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) submission over Jay Rea (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 2:32
Matt Betzold (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) submission over Jay Rea (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 3:08
66 kg/145.5 lbs
1st Place - John Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Bradley Tridle of American Pankration
John Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) submission over Bradley Tridle (American Pankration), 2:01
John Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE) submission over Bradley Tridle (American Pankration), 1:18
71 kg/156 lbs
1st Place - Jayson Patino of American Top Team
2nd Place - Christopher Hargett of Palm Desert
3rd Place - Johnny Gurule of NineNine Jiu Jitsu
Jayson Patino (American Top Team) submission over Johnny Gurule (NineNine Jiu Jitsu), 4:04
Christopher Hargett (Palm Desert) submission over Johnny Gurule (NineNine Jiu Jitsu), 3:13
Jayson Patino (American Top Team) submission over Christopher Hargett (Palm Desert), 2:51
77 kg/169.5 lbs
1st Place - Michael Kelly of Old School Wrestling
2nd Place - Bobby Yamashita of Pensacola Academy
3rd Place - Nicholas Marr of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Bobby Yamashita (Pensacola Academy) dec. Nicholas Marr (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 2-1
Michael Kelly (Old School Wrestling) dec. Bobby Yamashita (Pensacola Academy), 1-0
Michael Kelly (Old School Wrestling) dec. Nicholas Marr (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE), 3-0
84 kg/185 lbs
1st Place - James Clay of Gene Lebell
2nd Place - James Albert of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
3rd Place - Jacob Landwehr of American Pankration
James Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness -Team EDGE) dec. Jacob Landwehr (American Pankration), 8-0
James Clay (Gene Lebell) submission over James Albert (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 3:55
James Clay (Gene Lebell) dec. Jacob Landwehr (American Pankration), 9-0
92 kg/202.5 lbs
1st Place - Scott Garcia of American Pankration
100 kg/220 lbs
1st Place - Vaider Kymera of American Pankration
100+ kg/unlimited
1st Place - Brandon Ruiz of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
2nd Place - Gabe Beauperthuy of Colorado 719
3rd Place - David Rascon of Team Underground
Brandon Ruiz (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) submission over David Rascon (Team Underground ), 3:01
Brandon Ruiz (EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE) dec. Gabe Beauperthuy (Colorado 719), 6-0
Gabe Beauperthuy (colorado 719) submission over David Rascon (Team Underground), 0:14
Women ‘s No-Gi Grappling results
58 kg/127.5 lbs
1st Place - Laura Anderson of Brea Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Mirielle Graves of EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE)
Laura Anderson (Brea Wrestling Club) dec. Mirielle Graves (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 4-0
Laura Anderson (Brea Wrestling Club) dec. Mirielle Graves (EDGE MMA & Fitness - Team EDGE), 6-1
64 kg/140.75 lbs
1st Place - Colleen Schneider of Combat Submission Wrestling
71+ KG/unlimited
1st Place - Angela Marino of American Pankration
USA Grappling Cup standings
1. EDGE MMA & Fitness (Team EDGE), 12 pts.
2. American Pankration, 5 pts.
3. (tie) American Top Team, Old School and Gene Labelle, 3 pts.
6. (tie) Pensacola Academy, Palm Desert, Brea WC, Colorado 719, 2 pts.
10. (tie) Team Underground, Combat Submission Wrestling, NineNine JiuJitsu, 1 pt.
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