By Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/04/2011
MINSK, Belarus – The United States won three medals in men’s freestyle on the first day of the Alexander Medved International on Friday.
Capturing a gold medal at 60 kg/132 lbs. was 2009 U.S. World Team member Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/Gator WC)
Bunch won five matches to capture the title, including a victory over Bekhan Goigereev of Russia in the finals.
He opened with wins over Vladimir Fligontov of Russia, Vitali Koryakin of Tajikistan and Aliaksandr Kontoyev of Belarus. He defeated American Derek Moore in the semifinals. Moore lost his bronze-medal bout to finish fifth.
“It’s about time Shawn got a gold. We knew he was capable but needed to put it all together and get the results he's capable of,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “Shawn threatened and attacked, he blended offense, counter-offense, and defense. He stayed down in his stance and held his ground. In every tough moment throughout the day, he stayed focused and concentrated on executing technique and tactics. That's what wins gold.”
Claiming a silver medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. was Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids).
Hazewinkel won four straight matches to qualify for the finals. He opened with wins over Adam Popov of Russia, Vladislav Petrov of Russia and Giorgi Edisherashvili of Georgia. In the semifinals, he defeated Eldos Abikenov of Kazakhstan.
In the championship finals, Hazewinkel lost to Vladzislav Andreev of Belarus.
“Sam broke through; it was just a matter of time,” said Jones. “He imposed his will on people and that put him in the finals, but didn't do enough to stand on top of the podium. This should motivate him.”
2009 U.S. World Team member Dustin Schlatter (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm), won a bronze medal at 74 kg/163 lbs.
He opened with a loss to the eventual runner-up Seputin Gemanov of Kazakhstan, then rallied with four straight wins to take the bronze medal. He defeated three straight athletes from Russia in the repechage, including a victory over Gasa Shamikhalov of Russia in the bronze-medal bout.
“Dustin hasn't competed in a year and it showed in his first bout. He looked rusty. After that match and each bout after he got better and better. He looked like he was having fun and getting after it. Once he gets a few more tournaments and some focused freestyle training under his belt, he'll start to hit his stride,” said Jones.
A total of 15 American men’s freestyle wrestlers competed on the first day.
“We brought a lot of new guys and we're gaining the freestyle experience we need,” said Jones.
The U.S. also had women competitors on Friday. We will report on the women’s efforts in a different
03/04/2011
MINSK, Belarus – The United States won three medals in men’s freestyle on the first day of the Alexander Medved International on Friday.
Capturing a gold medal at 60 kg/132 lbs. was 2009 U.S. World Team member Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/Gator WC)
Bunch won five matches to capture the title, including a victory over Bekhan Goigereev of Russia in the finals.
He opened with wins over Vladimir Fligontov of Russia, Vitali Koryakin of Tajikistan and Aliaksandr Kontoyev of Belarus. He defeated American Derek Moore in the semifinals. Moore lost his bronze-medal bout to finish fifth.
“It’s about time Shawn got a gold. We knew he was capable but needed to put it all together and get the results he's capable of,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “Shawn threatened and attacked, he blended offense, counter-offense, and defense. He stayed down in his stance and held his ground. In every tough moment throughout the day, he stayed focused and concentrated on executing technique and tactics. That's what wins gold.”
Claiming a silver medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. was Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids).
Hazewinkel won four straight matches to qualify for the finals. He opened with wins over Adam Popov of Russia, Vladislav Petrov of Russia and Giorgi Edisherashvili of Georgia. In the semifinals, he defeated Eldos Abikenov of Kazakhstan.
In the championship finals, Hazewinkel lost to Vladzislav Andreev of Belarus.
“Sam broke through; it was just a matter of time,” said Jones. “He imposed his will on people and that put him in the finals, but didn't do enough to stand on top of the podium. This should motivate him.”
2009 U.S. World Team member Dustin Schlatter (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm), won a bronze medal at 74 kg/163 lbs.
He opened with a loss to the eventual runner-up Seputin Gemanov of Kazakhstan, then rallied with four straight wins to take the bronze medal. He defeated three straight athletes from Russia in the repechage, including a victory over Gasa Shamikhalov of Russia in the bronze-medal bout.
“Dustin hasn't competed in a year and it showed in his first bout. He looked rusty. After that match and each bout after he got better and better. He looked like he was having fun and getting after it. Once he gets a few more tournaments and some focused freestyle training under his belt, he'll start to hit his stride,” said Jones.
A total of 15 American men’s freestyle wrestlers competed on the first day.
“We brought a lot of new guys and we're gaining the freestyle experience we need,” said Jones.
The U.S. also had women competitors on Friday. We will report on the women’s efforts in a different
