Martinez, McKenna, Gadson receive draws for Ziolkowski and Pytlasinski International

Patrick Martinez pictured at the 2016 U.S. Senior Nationals in Las Vegas. Photo: John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com.

SPALA, Poland – Three U.S. athletes have weighed in a received their draws for Saturday competition at the Ziolkowski and Pytlasinski International’s in Poland.


2015 U.S. World Team member Patrick Martinez (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army WCAP) is the lone U.S. Greco-Roman participant at the Pytlasinski International this weekend. Martinez will face 2014 University World bronze medalist Arkadiusz Kulynycz of Poland in his first bout at 80 kg/176 lbs.


2014 Junior World silver medalist Joey McKenna (Towaco, N.J./Lehigh Valley AC) and 2015 NCAA champion Kyven Gadson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will represent the U.S. in men’s freestyle at the Ziolkowski International.


McKenna will open in the 65 kg/143 lbs. quarterfinals against relative international unknown Mateusz Nejman of Poland. Nejman only posted international results from the 2015 U23 European Championships where he did not medal.


Two weeks after making the U.S. University World Team, Gadson will face a tough test against three-time World medalist Reineris Salas Perez of Cuba in the first round at 97 kg/213 lbs. in Poland. Salas won silver medals at the 2013 and 2014 World Championships in addition to a bronze at the 2010 World Championships. The Cuban qualified for the Olympic Games at 86 kg/189 lbs.


Action from Poland will begin at 9 a.m. local time with competition in all three international styles. For those wishing to follow live in the U.S., competition will begin at 3 a.m. (ET), with a live stream and brackets being hosted at http://sportzona.pl/app/events/view/wrestling/1166.


Seven remaining U.S. athletes will weigh in tomorrow and compete on Sunday in Poland.

ZIOLKOWSKI, PYTLASINSKI INTERNATIONAL/POLAND OPEN

At Spala, Poland, June 18-19

U.S. draws for Saturday

Men’s Freestyle

65 kg/143 lbs. – Joey McKenna, Towaco, N.J. (Lehigh Valley AC)

Vs. Mateusz Nejman (Poland)


97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyven Gadson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

Vs. Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba), 2013, 2014 World silver medalist, 2010 World bronze medalist, 2016 Pan American Olympic Qualifier champion

Greco-Roman

80 kg/176 lbs. – Patrick Martinez, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)

Vs. Arkadiusz Kulynycz (Poland), 2014 World University bronze medalist, 2011 Junior World bronze medalist, 2016 Grand Prix of Zagreb silver medalist

Event Schedule
Saturday, June 18

Ziolkowski International – Freestyle 57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 97 kg

Pytlasinski International – Greco-Roman 59 kg, 71 kg, 80 kg, 98 kg

Poland Open – Women 48 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, 69 kg

Sunday, June 19

Ziolkowski International – Freestyle 61 kg, 70 kg, 86 kg, 125 kg

Pytlasinski International – Greco-Roman 66 kg, 75 kg, 85 kg, 130 kg

Poland Open – Women 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 75 kg