UPDATE: Andrew Howe places fifth on day one of Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia

Video capture of Andrew Howe in the Yarygin Grand Prix bronze medal bout

KRASNOYARSK, Russia – Andrew Howe (Norman, Okla./New York AC/Sooner WC) placed fifth at 74 kg/163 lbs., the top U.S. men’s freestyle performance on the first day of the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix on Friday.
Howe was defeated in the bronze-medal match by Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov of Russia, 9-0, the same athlete who defeated Howe in the Yarygin finals in 2015. Gadzhimagomedov scored all of his points in the first period, including four takedowns. In the second, Howe pressed the action but was unable to score.
Howe got on a run in the preliminaries, winning three straight bouts to reach the semifinals. Included were wins over Arslan Budazhapov of Russia, 3-2, Isa Daudov of Russia, 12-8 and Adam Khasiev of Russia in 1:59. In the semifinals, he lost a 0-10 technical fall to Muslim Dadaev of Russia.
This is the second straight year that Howe has reached a medal match at the Yarygin Grand Prix, after claiming a silver medal in 2015.
"Andrew Howe wrestled extremely hard, finishing fifth. The Russians remember his great performance last year and made things difficult for him today. After some questionable calls he was in a eight-point deficit in the second round and came back to win the match 12-8. He is an animal!" said USA Wrestling Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
2016 U.S. Open champion Daniel Dennis (Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) had a 2-2 record at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. -
Dennis opened with an 8-0 win over Solbon Tumenbayar of Russia. In his second match, he was beaten by technical fall by 2014 Yarygin champion Rustam Ampar of Russia, 15-5.
When Ampar reached the finals, Dennis was drawn back into repechage. He scored a pin over Bayarkhuu Jamyan of Mongolia in 1:26. He then dropped a wild 6-8 match to 2013 World bronze medalist Nariman Israpilov of Russia.
Two-time World Team member Tony Ramos (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) finished with a 1-1 record. He opened with a 4-3 win over Eduard Grigoriev of Russia, then fell to Omak Syurun of Russia, 2-4.x
"Our guys always wrestle with great effort. On day one of the Yaryguin we started well in the first rounds. Later in the day we were not as successful stringing techniques and actions together. It takes hard, focused wrestling to create opportunity and tremendous follow through, in good position, to win consistently at the highest levels. Our guys are capable of doing this but need to focus effort in this area. We will learn from today’s performance and make adjustments for tomorrow’s competition," said Zadick.
There are three men’s weight classes, 61 kg/134 lbs., 86 kg/189 lbs. and 125 kg/275 lbs. The USA has only one entry on Saturday, Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) at 125 kg/275 lbs., who has drawn Asadula Ibragimov of Russia in his first match.
The event is being live webcast on the Russian Wrestling Federation website, www.wrestrus.ru

IVAN YARYGIN GRAND PRIX

At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 29, 2016


Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Gold – Alexander Bogomoev (Russia)
Silver - Rustam Ampar (Russia)
Bronze – Artem Gebek (Russia)
Bronze – Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Russia)
5th - Nariman Israpalov (Russia)
5th - Vladimir Flegontov (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Zaur Makiev (Russia)
Silver - Muslim Dudaev (Russia)
Bronze –Ahmed Gasdzhimagovedov (Russia)
Bronze – Kakhaber Khubezhty (Russia)
5th - Andrew Howe (USA)
5th - Habib Batyrov (Russia)

U.S. men’s freestyle performances
57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Tony Ramos, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
WIN Eduard Grigoriev (Russia), 4-3
LOSS Omak Syurun (Russia), 2-4
57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
WIN Solbon Tumenbayar (Russia), 8-0
LOSS Rustam Ampar (Russia), 5-15
WIN Bayarkhuu Jamyan (Mongolia), Fall 1:26
LOSS Nariman Israpilov (Russia), 6-8
74 kg/163 lbs. - Andrew Howe, Norman, Okla. (New York AC/Sooner WC)
WIN Arslan Budazhapov (Russia), 3-2
WIN Isa Daudov (Russia), 12-8
WIN Adam Khasiev (Russia), Fall 1:59
LOSS Muslim Dadaev (Russia), 0-10
LOSS Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (Russia), 0-9

Women’s freestyle results
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Gold – Liubov Salnikov (Russia)
Silver – Chiho Hamada (Japan)
Bronze – Maria Gurova (Russia)
Bronze – Sumiya Erdenchimeg (Mongolia)
5th – Irina Olgonova (Russia)
5th – Hatangul Buvebator (Mongolia)
58 kg/128 lbs.
Gold - Orhkon Purevdorzh (Mongolia)
Silver – Kaori Icho (Japan)
Bronze – Tserenchimed Sukhee (Mongolia
Bronze – Shoovdor Baatarzhav (Mongolia)
5th – Gantuya Ekskhbat (Mongolia)
5th – Katerina Baldanova (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold – Yulia Prontsevich (Russia)
Silver – Ayaulym Kasymov (Ukraine)
Bronze – Natalya Fedoseeva (Russia)
Bronze – Svetlana Lipatov (Russia)
5th – Yoshimi Kayama (Japan)
5th – Elizaveta Sorokina (Russia)
69 kg/152 lbs.
Gold –Elmira Syzdykova (Kazakhstan)
Silver – Dalma Caneva (Italy)
Bronze – Tumentsetseg Sharkhuu (Mongolia)
Bronze – Arina Babkin (Mongolia)
5th – Jamila Bakbergenova (Ukraine)
5th – Bayarzhayr Tsedendorzh (Mongolia)

U.S. men’s freestyle draws for Saturday
125 kg/275 lbs. - Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
Vs. Asadula Ibragimov (Russia), 8th in 2013 European Junior Championships