USA freestyle receives draws for Alans International in Russia

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia – The U.S. men’s freestyle team received its draws for the Alans International tournament, which will now be contested Dec. 8-9 as opposed to its original schedule of Dec. 7-9.

Leading the squad is two-time World medalist and four-time World Team member James Green, who will face 2018 Stepan Sargsyan International champion Saipulla Alibolatov of Russia in his opening bout at 70 kg.

Also competing at 70 kg is Mario Mason and Josh Kindig. Mason drew 2017 Ivan Yarygin bronze winner Alibek Akbaev of Russia, while Kindig will take on 2017 Junior World champion, 2014 Cadet World champion and 2018 U23 World silver medalist David Baev of Russia.

2012 Junior World silver medalist Pat Downey is competing at 86 kg, where he will face off against Russia’s Slavik Naniev, a 2015 Cadet World champion.

Wrestling at 92 kg, freestyle and Greco-Roman National Team member Hayden Zillmer will take on Irakli Mtsituri of Georgia, who is a 2017 U23 World bronze medalist and finished fifth at the 2018 U23 Worlds.

Multiple-time National Team member Tony Nelson will begin his tournament at 125 kg, taking on Badzha Khutaba of Russia, who was 10th at the 2017 Alexander Medved Prizes.

Bryce Meredith, a two-time NCAA runner-up, will make his international debut tomorrow, taking on Russia’s Imam Adzhiev, who is a three-time age-group European Championships medalist.

Freestyle veteran Frank Perrelli will compete at 57 kg this weekend. In his first match, he’ll battle Giorgi Goniashvili of Georgia, who recorded a 13th-place finish at the 2018 Kartozia & Balavadze tournament.

At 79 kg, Nate Jackson will also make his international debut, facing Dmitrii Zainidinov from Russia. Zainidinov was 10th at the 2018 Vladimir Semenov Tournament.

The competition starts up on Saturday. Fans can watch live on Youtube.

Mat A – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu2Ep6_3Qa8&feature=youtu.be

Mat B – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohOy9ClUoko&feature=youtu.be

Mat C – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cURtgbW618&feature=youtu.be

ALANS INTERNATIONAL
Dec. 7-9, 2018

U.S. men’s freestyle roster
57 kg: Frank Perrelli (Hackettstown, N.J./Lehigh Valley RTC)
vs. Giorgi Goniashvili (Georgia), 13th at 2018 Kartozia & Balavadze

65 kg: Bryce Meredith (Laramie, Wyo./Wyoming RTC/New Jersey RTC/GRIT Athletics)
vs. Imam Adzhiev (Russia), 2016 U23 European gold, 2014 Junior European gold, 2017 U23 European bronze

70 kg: James Green (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids)
vs. Saipulla Alibolatov (Russia), 2018 Stepan Sargsyan gold

70 kg: Josh Kindig (Princeton, N.J./ New Jersey RTC)
vs. David Baev (Russia), 2017 Junior World champion, 2014 Cadet World gold, 2018 U23 World silver medalist

70 kg: Mario Mason (Morris Plains, N.J./Lehigh Valley WC)
vs. Alibek Akbaev (Russia), 2017 Ivan Yarygin bronze medalist

79 kg: Nate Jackson (Princeton, N.J./New Jersey RTC)
vs. Dmitrii Zainidinov (Russia), 10th at 2018 Vladimir Semenov Tournament

86 kg: Pat Downey (Princeton, N.J./New Jersey RTC/Titan Mercury WC)
vs. Slavik Naniev (Russia), 2015 Cadet World champion

92 kg: Hayden Zillmer (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
vs. Irakli Mtsituri (Georgia), 2017 U23 World bronze, fifth at 2018 U23 Worlds

125 kg: Tony Nelson (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
vs. Badzha Khutaba (Russia), 10th at 2017 Alexander Medved Prizes