Hildebrandt lands spot in Yarygin final, Dieringer and Augello fall in semis

KRASONYARSK, Russia – 2018 Senior World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt advanced to the finals of the 53 kg bracket at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia.

Hildebrandt went head-to-head with 2013 Senior World silver winner Sumiya Erdenechimeg of Mongolia in the first round. Hildebrandt picked up a dominant 13-2 tech fall to earn a spot in the semifinals.

There, she scored a late takedown over 2017 U23 World bronze medalist Ekaterina Poleshcuk of Russia to hold on for a 4-4 win on criteria, sending her to the finals.

Tomorrow for 53 kg gold, Hildebrandt will face 2014 Junior World champion Natalya Malysheva of Russia, who defeated USA’s Haley Augello in the semifinals by injury default.

Falling short in the semifinals were three-time National Team member Alex Dieringer and 2016 Olympian and 2017 World Team member Augello.

Dieringer, a 2013 Junior World silver medalist, had a strong first session, posting a couple decisive wins, including a 13-3 win over Zeping Lin of China and a 7-4 win against 2013 Junior World champion Alan Zaseev of Russia.

In the 79 kg semis, Dieringer lost a hard-fought battle to 2018 Senior World bronze medalist Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov of Russia.

Augello had an impressive performance in her first match, scoring a takedown and gut wrench in the final seconds to defeat Cerro Pelado champion Laura Herin of Cuba, 8-6.

Early in the semifinals against Malysheva, Augello injury defaulted the bout, sending her to the bronze match at 53 kg. Tomorrow she will face Russia’s Leila Karymova.

2017 World bronze medalist Becka Leathers will also wrestle for bronze tomorrow as she was pulled back into repechage after a first-round loss at 57 kg to 2014 Senior World champion Tserenchimed Sukhee of Mongolia.

In repechage matches, 2017 Senior World silver medalist Thomas Gilman advanced to the 57 kg bronze-medal match after a dominating 9-0 win over three-time Junior World champion Ahmet Peker of Turkey.

Later tonight, Gilman will take on two-time World bronze medalist Bekhbayar Erdenebat of Mongolia for third place.

Jason Chamberlain, competing at 70 kg, fell to 2018 Junior World silver medalist Razambek Zhamalov of Russia. The bout was close but with less than 90 seconds left, the Russian put Chamberlain to his back at the 4:37 mark.

Others eliminated from the tournament on Friday were 2012 Cadet World champion and 2017 U.S. Senior World Team member Zain Retherford and 2012 Olympian and two-time World Team member Kelsey Campbell.

Retherford dropped his opening bout to two-time Senior World finalist Gadzhimurad Rashidov of Russia. Rashidov lost in the semifinals to fellow Russian and two-time World bronze medalist Akhmed Chakaev, ending Retherford’s tournament.

Campbell fell to 2018 U23 World champion Grace Bullen of Norway in the first round. Bullen then lost in the semifinals to Sukhee, eliminating Campbell from the tournament.

Action resumes Friday at 5 a.m. ET with Gilman’s bronze match. Joining him in the hunt for medals on Friday include Forrest Molinari and Victoria Anthony. Saturday will feature medal matches for Hildebrandt, Dieringer, Augello and Leathers. All the action can be watched live on Flowrestling.org.

2019 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix

at Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 24-27

Men’s freestyle results
57 kg: Thomas Gilman (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC/Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Alexei Alvarez Blanco (Cuba), 10-0
LOSS Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia), fall 5:57
WIN Ahmet Peker (Turkey), 9-0
vs. Bekhbayar Erdenebat (Mongolia)

65 kg: Zain Retherford (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC)
LOSS Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Russia), 4-3

70 kg: Jason Chamberlain (Fresno, Calif./Titan Mercury)
WIN Katal Yeerlanbieke (China), 10-0
LOSS Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (Russia), fall 5:46
LOSS Razambek Zhamalov (Russia), fall 4:37

79 kg: Alex Dieringer (Stillwater, Okla./Titan Mercury)
WIN Zeping Lin (China), 13-0
WIN Alan Zaseev (Russia), 7-4
vs. Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (Russia)

Women’s freestyle results
53 kg: Sarah Hildebrandt (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
WIN Sumiya Erdenechimeg (Mongolia), 13-2
WIN Ekaterina Poleshchuk (Russia), 4-3
vs. Natalya Malysheva (Russia)

53 kg: Haley Augello (Chapel Hill, N.C./New York AC)
WIN Laura Herin (Cuba), 8-6
LOSS Natalya Malysheva (Russia), injury default
vs. Leila Karymova (Russia)

57 kg: Becka Leathers (Chapel Hill, N.C./Titan Mercury)
LOSS Tserenchimed Sukhee (Mongolia), 9-1
vs. Grace Bullen (Norway)

57 kg: Kelsey Campbell (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Grace Bullen (Norway), 10-0