U.S. No-Gi Grapplers to compete in Pankration World Championships in Hungary, October 24

World silver medalist Matt Betzold, shown at the 2011 Grappling World Team Trials, is one of the veteran stars on the U.S. team competing in Hungary this week. Larry Slater photo.

A team of U.S. No-Gi Grapplers will compete in the Pankration-Submission division at the 2014 Pankration World Championships in Kecskemet, Hungary on Friday, October 24. The rules of Pankration-Submission and No-Gi Grappling are basically the same.


The U.S. team will be led by 2012 Grappling World champion Brandon Ruiz (Taylorsville, Utah/Team Edge) at 100 kg+ (unlimited) division. Ruiz also boasts two World silver medals in No-Gi Grappling.


Two-time Grappling World silver medalist Matt Betzold (Phoenix, Ariz./Team EDGE) will compete at 62 kg/136.5 lbs Also returning to the World level is Michael Kelly (Hebron, Ill./Old School), a three-time Grappling World medalist, who will enter at 77 kg/169.5 lbs.


2013 Grappling World bronze medalist Jayson Patino (Orlando, Fla./American Top Team) will enter at 71 kg/156 lbs. Scott Garcia (Gilbert, Ariz. (American Pankration), who is competing at 92 kg/202.5 lbs., was a Grappling World champion in Gi Grappling in 2010.


The men’s team also includes two athletes at their first World Championships: James Clay (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Gene Lebell) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Vaider Kymera (Tempe, Ariz. (American Pankration) at 100 kg/220 lbs.


The women’s team includes three first-time team members, Laura Anderson (Indo, Calif./Brea Wrestling Club) at 53 kg/116.5 lbs., Colleen Schneider (Los Angeles, Calif./Combat Submission Wrestling) at 64 kg/140.75 lbs. and Angela Marino (Bakersfield, Calif./American Pankration) at 71kg./156 lbs.


“We have some veteran competitors who are past World medalists, Brandon Ruiz, Michael Kelly, Matt Betzold and Jason Patino. We expect them to medal again this year. We hope that the new members of the team can contribute as well this year,” said U.S. coach Sheldon Marr.


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.


PANKRATION WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Kecskemet, Hungary


U.S. No-Gi Grappling men’s roster
62 kg/136.5 lbs - Matt Betzold, Phoenix, Ariz. (Team EDGE)

71 kg/156 lbs. - Jayson Patino, Orlando, Fla. (American Top Team)

77 kg/169.5 lbs. - Michael Kelly, Hebron, Ill. (Old School Wrestling)

84 kg/185 lbs. - James Clay, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Gene Lebell)

92 kg/202.5 lbs. - Scott Garcia, Gilbert, Ariz. (American Pankration)

100 kg/220 lbs. - Vaider Kymera, Tempe, Ariz. (American Pankration)

100+ kg/unlimited - Brandon Ruiz, Taylorsville, Utah (Team EDGE)


U.S. No-Gi Grappling women’s roster
53 kg/116.5 lbs. - Laura Anderson, Indo, Calif. (Brea Wrestling Club)

64 kg/140.75 lbs. - Colleen Schneider, Los Angeles, Calif. (Combat Submission Wrestling)

71kg./156 lbs.- Angela Marino, Bakersfield, Calif. (American Pankration)


Competition Schedule (local times in Kecskemet, Hungary)

Friday, October 24
10:00 a.m. – Pankration Submission, elimination rounds (all Senior weight classes)

3:00 p.m. – Pankration Submission, repechage (all Senior weight classes)

8:00 p.m. – Pankration Submission, finals (all Senior weight classes)