Varner going for gold, Snyder for bronze on last day of Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix
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by Richard Immel USA Wrestling
| 2012 Olympic Champion Jake Varner to wrestle 2013 World bronze medalist Anzor Boltukaev (Russia) in Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix 97 kg gold medal match. Photo: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com |
KRASNOYARSK, Russia - Olympic champion Jake Varner proved to be in top form as he advanced to the 97 kg finals of the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on Sunday.
Varner will face 2013 World bronze medalist Anzor Boltukaev of Russia in the gold medal match. Boltukaev will be the fourth Russian opponent on the day for Varner. He defeated Russian’s Yuriy Vlasko, 7-4, Batradz Gazzaev, 11-0, and Adlan Ibragimov, 4-2, in the preliminary stages of the competition.
2015 World champion Kyle Snyder fell just short of the 97 kg finals after losing to Boltukaev 3-0 in the semifinals. Although the aggressor throughout his semifinal bout, Snyder gave up an exposure off a low-level single leg attempt and a shot clock point to the top tier Russian, proving to be the difference in the match.
Prior to his semifinal defeat, Snyder looked impressive in wins over Russian opponents Georgi Dzukaev and Tornika Kvitatiani. He will show down against Zaynula Kurbanov of Russia for the bronze medal at 97 kg.
It was a tough day for two of the top 65 kg U.S. wrestlers with both four-time World team member Brent Metcalf and four-time NCAA champion Logan Stieber falling short of the medal matches.
Metcalf utilized three second period takedowns to erase a 3-point deficit to 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion Azamatbi Pshnatlov of Russia and win his opening bout of the competition. However, Metcalf fell victim to the trapped-arm gut wrench in the second round, losing to Azamat Kabisov of Russia, 10-0.
Stieber gave fans one of the most exciting matches of the tournament, but came up just short against Murad Nukhadiev of Russia, 14-12, in the opening round. Stieber was leading 12-11 with under 20 seconds remaining in the match but was exposed off his own shot attempt as time expired to give up the match deciding points.
The Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix medal matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 a.m. (ET) and can be viewed live on unitedworldwrestling.org.
IVAN YARYGIN GRAND PRIX
At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 31
U.S. men’s freestyle performances
65 kg/143 lbs. - Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC/Hawkeye WC), DNP
WIN Azamatbi Pshnatlov (Russia), 6-3
LOSS Azamat Kabisov (Russia), 0-10
65 kg/143 lbs. - Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC), DNP
LOSS Murad Nukhadiev (Russia), 12-14
97kg/213 lbs. - Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md. (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
WIN Georgi Dzukaev (Russia), 10-0
WIN Tornika Kvitatiani (Russia), Inj. Def.
LOSS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia), 0-3
VS Zaynula Kurbanov (Russia)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
WIN Yuriy Vlasko (Russia), 7-4
WIN Batradz Gazzaev (Russia), 11-0
WIN Adlan Ibragimov (Russia), 4-2
VS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia)
