Anthony wins bronze, McKenna competes at Yarygin, three others receive draws

KRASNOYARSK, Russia – Victoria Anthony picked up her second bronze medal at a major tournament in just seven days, placing third at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Anthony has to win three matches today on the back side to earn a spot on the podium. To begin the day, she defeated 2017 Cadet European champion Natia Svanidze of Russia. In her second repechage match, Anthony topped Munnar Bambasuren of Mongolia to advance to the bronze bout. There, she defeated 2017 Junior European runner-up Anzhelika Fedorova of Russia, 10-0, to earn more international hardware.

Also competing today was 2017 U23 World bronze medalist and 2019 Senior Nationals runner-up Joey McKenna, who wrestled at 65 kg just days after competing at the Matteo Pellicone.

McKenna won his first bout over 2019 Junior European silver medalist Muslim Saidulaev of Russia. In the second round, he outlasted Tulga Ochir-Tumur of Mongolia, who was fifth at the 2019 Senior World Championships.

In his third bout of the day, McKenna dropped a match to Dasha Sharastepanov from Russia. Sharastepanov lost his next match to 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov, knocking McKenna out of the tournament.

The final four Americans will begin competition on Saturday, including Forrest Molinari in women’s freestyle and Pat Downy, Sam Brooks and Brett Pfarr in men’s freestyle.

To open her tournament at 68 kg, two-time World Team member Molinari will face Rin Miyaji of Japan, who was a 2019 Junior Asian Championships runner-up.

Downey, Brooks and Pfarr will all compete at 86 kg.

2019 World Team member Downey will take on 2010 Senior World bronze medalist Soslan Ktsoev from Russia, who also won the 2019 Alans Tournament.

Brooks, a 2017 U23 World Team member, drew 2018 Junior European champion Azamat Zakuev from Russia.

Pfarr will open his day against Orgilokh Dagvadorj of Mongolia, who finished 10th at the 2019 Junior Asian Championships.

IVAN YARYGIN GRAND PRIX

at Krasnoyarsk, Russia (Jan. 23-36)

U.S. Men’s freestyle results
57kg: Vito Arujau (Titan Mercury WC/Finger Lakes WC)
LOSS Alexander Sobanov (Russia), 12-10

65kg: Joey McKenna (Titan Mercury WC/Pennsylvania RTC)
WIN Muslim Saidulaev (Russia)
WIN Tulga Ochir-Tumur (Mongolia)
LOSS Dasha Sharastepanov (Russia)

U.S. Women’s freestyle results
50kg: Victoria Anthony (Sunkist Kids) - BRONZE
LOSS Nadezhda Sokolova (Russia)
WIN Natia Svanidze (Russia)
WIN Munnar Bambasuren (Mongolia)
WIN Anzhelika Fedorova (Russia), 10-0

U.S. draws for Friday
68kg: Forrest Molinari (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
vs. Rin Miyaji (Japan), 2019 Junior Asian runner-up

86kg: Pat Downey (Titan Mercury WC/NJRTC)
vs. Soslan Ktsoev (Russia), 2010 Senior World bronze medalist, 2019 Alans champion

86kg: Brett Pfarr (Gopher WC RTC)
vs. Orgilokh Dagvadorj (Mongolia), 10th at 2019 Junior Asian Championships

86kg: Sammy Brooks (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
vs. Azamat Zakuev (Russia), 2018 Junior European champion