Rau to battle for gold as eight U.S. Greco-Roman athletes are eligible for medals in Russia

Joe Rau of the USA posts a selfie from the S.A. Lavrikov Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia today, which appeared on his Instagram account.


ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - Eight U.S. Greco-Roman athletes are in the hunt for a medal after the first day of the S.A. Lavrikov Cup, which began Friday.


Going for a gold medal is:

• Joe Rau, Chicago, Ill. (Minnesota Storm/Chicago RTC)


Going for a bronze medal are:

• Jamel Johnson, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)

• Raymond Bunker, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)

• Aaron Kliamovich, Sweet Valley, Pa. (NMU-OTS)

• Pat Smith, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

• Terrence Zaleski, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)

• Daniel Miller, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)

• Trent Osnes, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)


According to Rau's update on Twitter, who won all three of his bouts by technical fall. Rau was a member of the 2014 U.S. World Team.


Of those going for bronze, Smith was a member of the 2017 U.S. Senior World Team and was a 2014 University World silver medalist. Johnson won a 201X University World bronze medal. Miller was a 2018 U.S. Open champion.


The team is being coached by Jay Antonelli of Annapolis, Md. and Dr. Jim Kliamovich of Viera, Fla. Theere were 18 U.S. athletes on this tour.


More detailed results are expected after Saturday's finals.