UPDATE: Varner takes silver and Snyder gets bronze on final day of Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia
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by Richard Immel and Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
KRASNOYARSK, Russia – The United States closed out the respected Yarygin Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk, Russia with a pair of medals on Sunday.
2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) won a silver medal and 2015 World champion Kyle Snyder (Woodbine, Md./Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC) won a bronze medal, both at 97 kg/213 lbs. Both men lost to the same wrestler, 2013 World bronze medalist Anzor Boltukaev of Russia.
Boltukaev defeated Varner in the championship finals, 8-2, giving him a sweep of the two American stars at his weight class. In the semifinals, he stopped Snyder 3-0.
Snyder came back strong in the bronze-medal round, beating Zaynula Kurbanov of Russia, 8-2, the 2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix silver medalist.
Varner defeated Russians Yuriy Vlasko, 7-4, Batradz Gazzaev, 11-0, and Adlan Ibragimov, 4-2, in the preliminary stages of the competition, looking strong and confident.
Varner was attempting to become the first American men’s freestyle wrestler to win the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix since heavyweight Steve Mocco won a gold medal in 2009.
In the semifinals, Snyder fell just short of victory. 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/143 lbs. 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 four guys wrestling today expect a great deal from themselves and we want the same success for them. In each performance, we saw some good things. However, we need to continue improving in positions, moving opponents, especially opponents who try very hard at doing very little. We still have to create angles, create opportunities, and score points. Still need to get better at finishing the opportunities we have. After the Yarygin, we have a little time to evaluate ourselves and making these adjustments will be critical. Of course, the Olympic Trials are quickly approaching and this is extremely important, as well as qualifying the rest of our team for the Olympic Games. These are big things and every effort made to improve is with those goals and, ultimately, winning many gold medals in Rio in mind,” said USA Wrestling Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
Varner and Snyder were the only American men’s freestyle medalists at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix this year. Two Americans placed fifth, Andrew Howe (Norman, Okla./New York AC/Sooner WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Bobby Telford (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) at 125 kg/275 lbs.,
IVAN YARYGIN GRAND PRIX
At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 31
Men’s Freestyle Results
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Israil Gasimov (Russia)
Silver – Magomed Kurbanaliev (Russia)
Bronze – Alibeggadzhi Emeev (Russia)
Bronze – Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia)
5th – Ilyas Bekbulatov (Russia)
5th – Viktor Stepanov (Russia)
70 kg/154 lbs.
Gold – Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia)
Silver – Khusey Suyunchev (Russia)
Bronze – Atsamaz Sanakoev (Russia)
Bronze – Rasul Arslanaliev (Russia)
5th – Alibek Akbaev (Russia)
5th – Nadirbeg Hizriev (Russia)
97 kg/213 lbs
Gold – Anzor Boltukayev (Russia)
Silver – Jake Varner (USA)
Bronze – Kyle Snyder (USA)
Bronze – Adlan Ibragimov (Russia)
5th – Zainula Kurbanov (Russia)
5th – Yuriy Vlasko (USA)
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), 3rd
WIN Georgi Dzukaev (Russia), 10-0
WIN Tornika Kvitatiani (Russia), Inj. Def.
LOSS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia), 0-3
WIN Zaynula Kurbanov (Russia), 8-2
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), 2nd
WIN Yuriy Vlasko (Russia), 7-4
WIN Batradz Gazzaev (Russia), 11-0
WIN Adlan Ibragimov (Russia), 4-2
LOSS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia), 2-8
2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) won a silver medal and 2015 World champion Kyle Snyder (Woodbine, Md./Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC) won a bronze medal, both at 97 kg/213 lbs. Both men lost to the same wrestler, 2013 World bronze medalist Anzor Boltukaev of Russia.
Boltukaev defeated Varner in the championship finals, 8-2, giving him a sweep of the two American stars at his weight class. In the semifinals, he stopped Snyder 3-0.
Snyder came back strong in the bronze-medal round, beating Zaynula Kurbanov of Russia, 8-2, the 2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix silver medalist.
Varner defeated Russians Yuriy Vlasko, 7-4, Batradz Gazzaev, 11-0, and Adlan Ibragimov, 4-2, in the preliminary stages of the competition, looking strong and confident.
Varner was attempting to become the first American men’s freestyle wrestler to win the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix since heavyweight Steve Mocco won a gold medal in 2009.
In the semifinals, Snyder fell just short of victory. 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/143 lbs. 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 four guys wrestling today expect a great deal from themselves and we want the same success for them. In each performance, we saw some good things. However, we need to continue improving in positions, moving opponents, especially opponents who try very hard at doing very little. We still have to create angles, create opportunities, and score points. Still need to get better at finishing the opportunities we have. After the Yarygin, we have a little time to evaluate ourselves and making these adjustments will be critical. Of course, the Olympic Trials are quickly approaching and this is extremely important, as well as qualifying the rest of our team for the Olympic Games. These are big things and every effort made to improve is with those goals and, ultimately, winning many gold medals in Rio in mind,” said USA Wrestling Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
Varner and Snyder were the only American men’s freestyle medalists at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix this year. Two Americans placed fifth, Andrew Howe (Norman, Okla./New York AC/Sooner WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Bobby Telford (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) at 125 kg/275 lbs.,
IVAN YARYGIN GRAND PRIX
At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 31
Men’s Freestyle Results
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Israil Gasimov (Russia)
Silver – Magomed Kurbanaliev (Russia)
Bronze – Alibeggadzhi Emeev (Russia)
Bronze – Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia)
5th – Ilyas Bekbulatov (Russia)
5th – Viktor Stepanov (Russia)
70 kg/154 lbs.
Gold – Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia)
Silver – Khusey Suyunchev (Russia)
Bronze – Atsamaz Sanakoev (Russia)
Bronze – Rasul Arslanaliev (Russia)
5th – Alibek Akbaev (Russia)
5th – Nadirbeg Hizriev (Russia)
97 kg/213 lbs
Gold – Anzor Boltukayev (Russia)
Silver – Jake Varner (USA)
Bronze – Kyle Snyder (USA)
Bronze – Adlan Ibragimov (Russia)
5th – Zainula Kurbanov (Russia)
5th – Yuriy Vlasko (USA)
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), 3rd
WIN Georgi Dzukaev (Russia), 10-0
WIN Tornika Kvitatiani (Russia), Inj. Def.
LOSS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia), 0-3
WIN Zaynula Kurbanov (Russia), 8-2
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), 2nd
WIN Yuriy Vlasko (Russia), 7-4
WIN Batradz Gazzaev (Russia), 11-0
WIN Adlan Ibragimov (Russia), 4-2
LOSS Anzor Boltukaev (Russia), 2-8
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