Henri Deglane Challenge wraps with Francois and Chun earning medals for Team USA

Enock Francois and Clarissa Chun on the medal stand at the Henri Deglane Challenge. Photos: Brandon Slay.

NICE, France – Team USA picked up two medals on the final day of the Henri Deglane Challenge, one in men's freestyle and one in women's freestyle.


Three-time NAIA All-American Enock Francois made the 97 kg men’s freestyle finals but fell just short of the gold. Francois dropped a 3-0 match to rising Romanian star Vlad Caras in the finals.


On the women’s freestyle side, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa Chun went 3-1 on the day, picking up a bronze medal at 48 kg. Chun defeated Eugenia Bustabad of Spain 6-1 in the bronze medal bout.


“Day 2 in France wasn't as productive. There were shining moments, but I believe all 3 of our wrestlers could have won Gold today. Some tactical and technical mistakes were made, which made the difference.” said U.S. coach Brandon Slay.


The Henri Deglane Challenge saw the return of 2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas to international competition.


Abas won his first two matches before dropping a tight 1-1 decision to 2015 Mediterranean champion Lavan Metreveli of Spain in the 57 kg semifinals. Abas defaulted out of his bronze medal match to earn fifth place.


“It was great to see Abas back on the mat. He had a solid win against Iran and lost a very close 1-1 in semi-final,” Slay said. “Now it's time for our wrestlers to get focused on Vegas in December to get qualified for the Olympic Trials in April.”


In total, the U.S. went five for seven on medals at the Henri Deglane this weekend. In addition to Francois and Chun, upstarts Nazar Kulchytskyy and Connor Medbery brought home gold for the U.S. while 2014 World Team member Ed Ruth secured silver.

Henri Deglane Challenge

Nov. 28 at Nice, France


U.S. men’s freestyle results

57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Stephen Abas (Sanger, Calif.), 5th

WIN Dimtru Cocervei (Switzerland), 10-0

WIN Ali Hajiaghania (Iran), 4-2

LOSS Levan Metreveli (Spain), 1-1

LOSS Alexis Olvera (Mexico), Forfeit


97 kg/213 lbs. – Enock Francois, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC/Finger Lakes WC), Silver

WIN Nicolas Tavernese (Pcey), 10-0

WIN Jordan Noblet (France), 10-0

LOSS Vlad Caras (Romania), 0-3

U.S. women’s freestyle results

48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Clarissa Chun (Morgantown, W. Va./Sunkist Kids), Bronze

WIN Kim Gmeiner (Austria), Fall

WIN Laura Peredo (Mexico), 10-7

LOSS Anna Lukasiak (Poland), 1-6

WIN Eugenia Bustabad (Spain), 6-1