Molinaro and Martinez claim silver medals to close out Continental Cup

KHASAVJURT, Russia – The USA men’s freestyle team wrapped up its weekend of competition at the Continental Cup in Khasavjurt, Russia, with a pair of silver-medal performances from Frank Molinaro and Isaiah Martinez on Sunday.

Competing at 70 kg, Molinaro faced Stepan Sargysan Tournament champion Aznaur Tanaev of Russia. Tanaev used four chest wraps to secure a 12-1 victory over the American. With a 4-1 record, Molinaro finished with a silver.

At 79 kg, Martinez, who bumped up from 74 kg, took on three-time Ivan Yarygin medalist and 2019 Russia Nationals runner-up Atsamaz Sanakoev of Russia. Sanakoev scored on a defensive takedown and added four guts for a 10-0 win. Martinez finished his tournament with a 3-1 record.

Overall, the USA collected six medals over the weekend. In addition to Molinaro’s and Martinez’s silver medals, the United States also secured a silver medal from Evan Henderson at 65 kg and Hayden Zillmer at 97 kg as well as bronze medals from Thomas Gilman at 57 kg and Ty Walz at 97 kg.

2019 CONTINENTAL CUP

at Khasavjurt, Russia, Oct. 10-14

U.S. men’s freestyle results

57 kg: Thomas Gilman (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) – BRONZE
LOSS Abubakar Mutaliev (Russia)
WIN Abdurakhman Dalgatov (Russia), forfeit
WIN Salikh Muradov, 6-0

57 kg: Zach Sanders (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) – FIFTH
WIN Musa Mekhtikhanov (Russia), 7-2
WIN Ramazan Abdurakhimov (Russia), 2-0
LOSS Khasanhusein Badrudinov (Russia), 4-2
LOSS Azamat Tuskaev (Russia), 7-0

61 kg: Shelton Mack (College Park, Md./Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Tural Huseynov (Azerbaijan), 5-4

65 kg: Dean Heil (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/Oklahoma RTC)
LOSS Haji Ali (Bahrain), 6-1

65kg: Evan Henderson (New York, N.Y./Titan Mercury WC) – SILVER
WIN Gamzat Gamzatov (Russia)
WIN quarterfinals
WIN semifinals
LOSS Ramazan Ferzaliev (Russia), 10-0

70 kg: Frank Molinaro (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/Oklahoma RTC) – SILVER
WIN Farid Nasibov (Azerbaijan), 6-2
WIN Russia, 5-2
WIN Gitinomagomed Ghadziyev (Azerbaijan), 9-5
WIN semifinal (Russia), fall
LOSS Aznaur Tanaev (Russia), 12-1

74 kg: Mekhi Lewis (Bound Brook, N.J./Southeast RTC) – FIFTH
WIN Davit Gevorgyan (Armenia), 3-2
WIN Dan Vallimont (USA), 4-1
WIN Alibek Akbaev (Russia), 7-0
LOSS Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (Russia), 5-3
LOSS Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (Russia), 6-2

74 kg: Dan Vallimont (Philadelphia, Pa./Pennsylvania RTC)
WIN Nadir Hajiyev (Azerbaijan), 10-0
LOSS Mekhi Lewis (USA), 4-1

74 kg: Nazar Kulchytskyy (Minneapolis, Minn./Titan Mercury WC/Gopher WC)
LOSS Amin Tekushev (Russia), 12-7

79 kg: Isaiah Martinez (Champaign, Ill./Titan Mercury WC) – SILVER
WIN Davlat Khodjiev (Uzbekistan), 10-0
WIN Adam Khasiev (Russia), 9-9
WIN Zhiger Zakirov (Kazakhstan), 12-2
LOSS Atsamaz Sanakoev (Russia), 10-0

86 kg: Sammy Brooks (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC)
WIN Nick Heflin (USA), inj. df.
LOSS Javrail Shapiev (Uzbekistan), 10-0

86 kg: Nick Heflin (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/Oklahoma RTC)
LOSS Sammy Brooks (USA), inj. df.

86 kg: Kevin Radford (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Adam Gagiev (Russia), 4-4

86 kg: Zahid Valencia (Bellflower, Calif./Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Omar Ziiautdinov (Russia), 12-5

92 kg: Mike Macchiavello (Raleigh, N.C./Titan Mercury WC/Wolfpack WC)
WIN Gadzhimagomed Tazhudhinov (Russia), 5-0
LOSS Radik Nartikoev (Russia), 4-3

97 kg: Ty Walz (Blacksburg, Va./Southeast RTC) – BRONZE
LOSS Rasul Magomedov (Russia), 3-0
WIN Shamil Ismailov (Russia), 7-1

97 kg: Hayden Zillmer (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) – SILVER
WIN Magomed Tagirov (Russia), 2-0
LOSS Rasul Magomedov (Russia), 3-3

125 kg: Garrett Ryan (Scottsdale, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Roman Bakirov (Azerbaijan), 6-0

125 kg: Mike Kosoy (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Shamil SHaripov (Russia), 10-0