Richard Perry goes for gold, four other men's freestylers in repechage at Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial
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by Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling
KIEV, Ukraine – Five U.S. men’s freestyle wrestlers are still in the hunt for a medal after day-one action at the Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial tournament in Kiev, Ukraine. Among them is Richard Perry, who advanced to the 86 kg/189 lbs. finals.
Perry has guaranteed his first medal of 2018 with three wins on the tournament’s opening day. Off to a fast start, he teched 2017 Henri Deglane Challenge bronze medalist Saifedine Alekma of France, 11-0, before besting Senior-level veteran Zbigniew Mateusz Baranowski of Poland, 5-4.
In the semifinals, he took out Ilyia Archaia of Ukraine, 9-5, to advance to the gold-medal match. There, he is set to face 2013 Cadet World silver medalist Kamran Ghasempour of Iran.
Four other Americans are in the repechage, including Josh Rodriguez at 57 kg/125 lbs., Evan Henderson at 65 kg/143 lbs., Dan Vallimont at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Blaize Cabell at 97 kg/213 lbs.
Rodriguez and Vallimont both advanced and fell in the semifinals of their respective weight classes. They have moved on to tomorrow’s bronze-medal bouts.
At 57 kg, Rodriguez earned wins over 2017 U23 World silver medalist Salim Naim Mikyay of Bulgaria, Ariyan Tiutrin of Russia and Fedor Postnikov of Russia. In the semis, he lost to 2017 European champion and 2016 Golden Grand Prix winner Giorgi Edishrashvili of Azerbaijan.
Vallimont was awarded a win over three-time age-group World medalist Vasil Mikhailov of Ukraine, who forfeited the bout. In the quarterfinals, the American edged out 2017 European bronze winner Ruslan Dibirgadzhiev of Azerbaijan with a 5-5 win on criteria.
Vallimont fell in his 74 kg semifinals matchup to 2011 World silver medalist and two-time Olympian Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico. Gomez was also an NCAA champion for Michigan State.
Repechage bouts are scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (3 a.m. ET) and medal matches will begin at 6 p.m. (11 a.m. ET).
U.S. men’s freestyle results
57 kg/125 lbs. – Frank Perrelli (Bethlehem, Pa./Titan Mercury)
LOSS Valentin Bliasetski (Ukraine), fall
57 kg/125 lbs. – Josh Rodriguez (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC)
WIN Salim Naim Mikyay (Bulgaria), 13-2
WIN Aryian Tiutrin (Russia)
WIN Fedor Postnikov (Russia), 7-1
LOSS Giorgi Edisherashvili (Azerbaijan), 6-3
65 kg/143 lbs. – Evan Henderson (Chapel Hill, N.C./Titan Mercury)
WIN Andrei Syvryd (Ukraine), 12-2
LOSS Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (Poland), 9-5
65 kg/143 lbs. – BJ Futtrell (Philadelphia, Pa./Titan Mercury)
WIN Charlie Bowling (Great Britain)
LOSS Vladimer Kinchegashvili (Georgia), 5-4
74 kg/163 lbs. – Dan Vallimont (Philadelphia, Pa./New York AC)
WIN Vasil Mikhailov (Ukraine), forfeit
WIN Ruslan Dibirgadzhiev (Azerbaijan), 5-5
LOSS Franklin Gomez (Puerto Rico), 8-0
86 kg/189 lbs. – Richard Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./New York AC)
WIN Saifedine Alekma (France), 11-0
WIN Zbigniew Mateusz Baranowski (Poland) 5-4
WIN Ilyia Archaia (Ukraine), 9-5
vs. Kamran Ghasempour (Iran)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Blaize Cabell (Fresno, Calif./Valley RTC)
LOSS Nurmagomed Gadzhiev (Azerbaijan)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyven Gadson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)
WIN Sven Engstroem (Sweden), 6-2
LOSS Duman Bultrikov (Kazakhstan), 12-9
