Bunch, Bergman, and Dlagnev Earn World Cup Berths

Three Ohio RTC athletes earned a spot on the United States World Cup Team Friday. While Tervel Dlagnev earned a spot automatically by winng a bronze medal at the last World Championships, Shawn Bunch and JD Bergman had to each win 2 matches to earn their spot. Held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, the winners in each weight class will earn a spot on the U.S. team which will compete in the Freestyle World Cup in Mahachkala, Russia, March 6-7. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, and features the top eight nations in the world.

Bunch defeated Derek Moore 1-0, 1-0 before knocking off Coleman Scott in a grueling 3 period match 1-0, 0-3, 2-0.  Video

Bergman looks fully recovered from earlier injuries as the pulled off upsets in the wrestling world, but just full-filled his own expectations. In the first match, he defeated Bryce Hasseman (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0. Next, he faced 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat 1-0, 2-1. The first period he used a knee pick to eventually force Hrovat to step-out and earn 1 point. The second period, he earned another 2 push-out  points with a bodylock and an underhook. Video
 

 The Ohio Regional Traiing Center can now claim 3 of the 7 atheletes that earned World Cup berths. The support that these athletes get from the community and donors allows them to have a singular focus on reaching their gold medal potential. As evident by the World Cup results, it is a very effective set-up.