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ANTALYA, TURKEY – The United States had a dominant performance at the historic first World Grappling Championships, sweeping all nine gold medals in the final event of the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey, September 9.<\/p>\nGary Abbott USA Wrestling
\n ANTALYA, TURKEY – The United States had a dominant performance at the historic first World Grappling Championships, sweeping all nine gold medals in the final event of the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey, September 9.<\/p>\n
Capturing gold medals in the women’s division were Lisa Ward (Lacey, Wash.\/United Fight Team) at 48 kg\/105.5 lbs., Felicia Oh (Tarzana, Calif.\/JJ Machado\/BJMUTA) at 55 kg\/121 lbs., Tara LaRosa (Woodstown, N.J.\/unattached) at 63 kg\/138.75 lbs. and Valerie Worthington (Whittier, Calif.\/New Breed\/Hollywood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) at 72 kg\/158.5 lbs.<\/p>\n
Capturing gold medals in the men’s division were Darren Uyenoyama (South San Francisco, Calif.\/Fogtown Jiu Jitsu) at 62 kg\/136.5 lbs., Ricky Lundell (Orem, Utah\/Pedro Sauer Team) at 70 kg\/154 lbs., Don Ortega (Albuquerque, N.M.\/No Limits) at 80 kg\/176 lbs., Malcolm Havens (Parker, Colo.\/Grapplers Edge) at 92 kg\/202.5 lbs. and Jeff Monson (Coconut Creek, Fla.\/Victory Athletics) at 125 kg\/275 lbs.<\/p>\n
All nine World champions captured gold medals at the USA Wrestling Grappling World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev. in June.<\/p>\n
The USA won 21 medals out of a possible 35 medals in the event. Included was a sweep of all four medals at the men’s 92 kg\/202.5 lbs. division. In convincing terms, the USA has set the bar for the rest of the world in international Grappling competition.<\/p>\n
“I really think have a training camp and bringing many of our people together helped. People perish without a vision. Our coaches developed a vision with this team. We didn’t want to just win the championship. We wanted everybody to be the most outstanding we could be, no matter the outcome,”\u009d said U.S. World Team Coach Bob Anderson.<\/p>\n
It was a great day for the U.S. team, which entered 27 athletes in the field. In the men’s division, four of the five gold-medal finals featured all-USA matchups.<\/p>\n
“The team performed at the highest level against great competition,”\u009d said U.S. World Team Coach Jason Townsend.”All the athletes had tough matches and pulled through with flying colors. This is the beginning of a new era for Grappling. It was a pioneering effort for USA Wrestling. We were excited to be a part of this historic event, and we will work hard to remain a dominant force for years to come.”\u009d<\/p>\n
Claiming silver medals for the United States were:
\n“\u00a2 Matthew Sanchez (Sacramento, Calif.\/Ultimate Fitness) at 62 kg\/136.5 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Bill Cooper (Santa Barbara, Calif.\/Paragon BJJ Academy) at 80 kg\/176 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Matt Horwich (Eagle Creek, Ore.\/Team Quest) at 92 kg\/202.5 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Ramon Diaz (Testin, Calif.\/No Limits), silver medal at 125 kg\/275 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Bahar Shahidi (Denver, Colo.\/Grapplers Edge) at 55 kg\/121 lbs.<\/p>\n
Winning bronze medals for the United States were:
\n“\u00a2 Jake Bohn (Kentwood, Mich.\/unattached) at 70 kg\/154 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Michael Kelly (Hebron, Ill.\/Gilbert Grappling) at 80 kg\/176 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Ryan Gillespie (San Diego, Calif.\/The Boxing Club) at 92 kg\/202.5 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Douglas Fournet (Denham Springs, La.\/Gladiators Academy) at 96 kg\/211.5 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Rawle Shewprashad (New York, N.Y.\/Blast Double NY) at 125 kg\/275 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Cristina Rodriguez (Tampa, Fla.\/Gracie Tampa) at 55 kg\/121 lbs.
\n“\u00a2 Bethany Harris (Valley Center, Calif.\/No Limits) at 72 kg\/158.5 lbs.<\/p>\n
For Diaz and Harris, it was the second medal of the week. Diaz was a bronze medalist in the Sombo tournament on Friday, and Harris was a bronze medalist in the Beach World Championships on Saturday.<\/p>\n
This was the first time FILA has ever hosted a World Championships in Grappling, a style of wrestling which was recognized as an international wrestling style this spring.<\/p>\n
No Limits Mixed Martial Arts is the Official Sponsor for the U.S. World Teams for Grappling and Sombo.<\/p>\n
A training camp for the World Team Trials champions is being hosted at the USA Wrestling National Training Center for Grappling and Sombo, which is located at the No Limits Mixed Martial Arts facility in Irvine, Calif.<\/p>\n
GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS<\/p>\n
Medal Standings<\/p>\n
62 kg\/136.5 lbs.
\nGold”Darren Uyenoyama (United States)
\nSilver”Matt Sanchez (United States)
\nBronze”Tom Barlow (Great Britain)
\nBronze”Oliver Dew (Great Britain)<\/p>\n
70 kg\/154 lbs.
\nGold”Ricky Lundell (United States)
\nSilver “John Irlkarlanga (Ireland)
\nBronze”Jake Bohn (United States)
\nBronze” Lautaro Arboreli (Spain)<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs.
\nGold”Don Ortega (United States)
\nSilver”Bill Cooper (United States)
\nBronze”Mike Kelly (United States)
\nBronze”Michael Saldoadori (France)<\/p>\n
92 kg\/202.5 lbs.
\nGold “Malcom Havens (United States)
\nSilver”Matt Horwich (United States)
\nBronze”Ryan Gillespie (United States)
\nBronze”Doug Fournet (United States)<\/p>\n
125 kg\/275 lbs.
\nGold”Jeff Monson (United States)
\nSilver”Ramon Diaz (United States)
\nBronze”Tom Blackledge (Great Britian)
\nBronze”Rawle Shewprashad (United States)<\/p>\n
Women’s<\/p>\n
48 kg\/105.5 lbs.
\nGold”Lisa Ward (United States)
\nSilver”\u201cLisa Newton (Great Britain)
\nBronze”Melcir Mirela (Romania)<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs.
\nGold” Felicia Oh (United States)
\nSilver”Bahar Shahidi (United States)
\nBronze” Christina Rodriguez (United States)
\nBronze – Katherine Gifford (Great Britain)<\/p>\n
63 kg\/138.75 lbs.
\nGold”Tara LaRosa (United States)
\nSilver”Lloudmilla Soundovkova (Russia)
\nBronze”Rachel Whenathey (Great Britain)
\nBronze”Ama Mayke (Great Britain)<\/p>\n
72 kg\/158.5 lbs.
\nGold”Valerie Worthington (United States)
\nSilver”Natalya Ivanova (Russia)
\nBronze”Bethany Harris (United States)<\/p>\n
U.S. performances<\/p>\n
62 kg\/136.5 lbs. – Darren Uyenoyama, South San Francisco, Calif. (Fogtown Jiu Jitsu), gold medal
\nWIN Van Goavec (France), submission, 4:57
\nWIN Oliver Dew (Great Britain), 12-2
\nWIN Matt Sanchez (United States), 10-5<\/p>\n
62 kg\/136.5 lbs. – Matthew Sanchez, Sacramento, Calif. (Ultimate Fitness), silver medal
\nWIN Joseph Ruddock (Ireland), technical fall, 25-3, 5:18
\nWIN Tom Barlow (Great Britain), 14-2
\nLOSS Darren Uyenoyama (United States), 5-10<\/p>\n
62 kg\/136.5 lbs.”Eric Albarracin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (EA Kombat”Modern Army Combatives)
\nLOSS Jaimie McIrnery (Ireland), submission, 3:58<\/p>\n
70 kg\/154 lbs. – Ricky Lundell, Orem, Utah (Pedro Sauer Team), gold medal
\nWIN Gerardo Dudamell (Venezuela), 14-0
\nWIN Jean-Baptist Lemerle (France), disqualification, 1:10
\nWIN Lautaro Arborel (Spain), submission, 0:38
\nWIN John Irlkaranagh (Ireland), submission, 2:35<\/p>\n
70 kg\/154 lbs. – Jake Bohn, Kentwood, Mich. (unattached), bronze medal
\nWIN Francis Heangney (Great Britain), 12-5
\nWIN Arnoud Pettier (France), 13-3
\nLOSS John Irlkaranagh (Ireland), submission, 1:22
\nWIN Lautaro Arboreli (Spain)<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs. – Don Ortega, Albuquerque, N.M. (No Limits), gold medal
\nWIN Christian Sandberg (Sweden), 8-0
\nWIN Clive Staunton (Ireland), 20-1
\nWIN Michael Saloadori (France), 13-3
\nWIN Bill Cooper (United States), 3-2<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs. – Bill Cooper, Santa Barbara, Calif. (Paragon BJJ Academy), silver medal
\nWIN Gareth Roristan (Great Britain), submission, 0:57
\nWIN Florentin Amorin (France), submission, 1:15
\nWIN Mike Kelly (United States), submission, 1:46
\nLOSS Don Ortega (United States), 2-3<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs. -Michael Kelly, Hebron, Ill. (Gilbert Grappling), bronze medal
\nWIN Eddy Carda (France), 12-2
\nWIN Jarvis Bennett (Great Britain), 10-8
\nLOSS Bill Cooper (United States), submission, 1:46
\nWIN Michael Saldoadori (France), 2-1<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs. – Jeff Funicello. Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
\nWIN Suley Howard (Great Britain), 1-0
\nLOSS Michael Saldoadori (France), disqualification, 2:34<\/p>\n
80 kg\/176 lbs.”Bryce Santaniello, Santa Ana, Calif. (No Limits)
\nLOSS Jarvis Bennett (Great Britain), submission, 1:50<\/p>\n
92 kg\/202.5 lbs. – Malcolm Havens, Parker, Colo. (Grapplers Edge), gold medal
\nWIN Heddi Karaoui (France), submission, 2:33
\nWIN Nerowen McEvoy (Great Britain), 2-0
\nWIN Douglas Fournet (United States), 9-1
\nWIN Matt Horwich (United States), 2-0<\/p>\n
92 kg\/202.5 lbs. – Matt Horwich, Eagle Creek, Ore. (Team Quest), silver medal
\nWIN Tony Passoa (Great Britain), submission, 2:30
\nWIN Jordan Radev (Netherlands), 9-6, overtime
\nWIN Ryan Gillespie (United States), submission, 3:27
\nLOSS Malcolm Havens (United States), 0-2<\/p>\n
92 kg\/202.5 lbs. – Ryan Gillespie, San Diego, Calif. (The Boxing Club), bronze medal
\nWIN Shane Courtney (Ireland), submission, 2:30
\nWIN Serge Canario (France), submission, 3:28
\nLOSS Matt Horwich (United States), submission, 3:27
\nWIN Douglas Fournet (United States), submission<\/p>\n
96 kg\/211.5 lbs. – Douglas Fournet, Denham Springs, La. (Gladiators Academy), bronze medal
\nWIN Richard Wills (Great Britain), 17-0
\nWIN Sasho Evtimov (Bulgaria), 15-0
\nWIN Mohammed Yaman (Spain), submission, 2:39
\nLOSS Malcolm Havens (United States), 1-9
\nLOSS Ryan Gillespie (United States), submission<\/p>\n
125 kg\/275 lbs. – Jeff Monson, Coconut Creek, Fla. (Victory Athletics), gold medal
\nWIN Zoro Piere (France), submission, 1:01
\nWIN Tom Blackledge (Great Britain), submission, 4:00
\nWIN Ramon Diaz (United States), injury default, 0:57<\/p>\n
125 kg\/275 lbs.”Ramon Diaz, Testin, Calif. (No Limits), silver medal
\nWIN Orizv Nwokeji (Great Britain), 9-1
\nWIN Rawle Shewprashad (United States), 11-1
\nLOSS Jeff Monson (United States), injury default, 0:57<\/p>\n
125 kg\/275 lbs. – Rawle Shewprashad, New York, N.Y. (Blast Double NY), bronze medal
\nWIN Kaloyan Iordanov Mihalev (Bulgaria), 10-1
\nLOSS Ramon Diaz (United States), 1-11
\nLOSS Tom Blackledge (Great Britian), submission, 1:45<\/p>\n
Women<\/p>\n
48 kg\/105.5 lbs.- Lisa Ward, Lacey, Wash. (United Fight Team), gold medal
\nWIN Lisa Newton (Great Britain), 6-0
\nWIN Melciv Mirella (Romania), submission, 0:25<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Felicia Oh, Tarzana, Calif. (JJ Machado\/BJMUTA), gold medal
\nWIN Katherine Gifford (Great Britain), 12-2
\nWIN Bahar Shahidi (United States), submission, 2:35<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Bahar Shahidi, Denver, Colo. (Grapplers Edge), silver medal
\nWIN Jessica Ortiz (United States), submission, 1:42
\nWIN Cristina Rodriguez (United States), 4-2
\nLOSS Felicia Oh (United States), submission, 2:35<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Cristina Rodriguez, Tampa, Fla. (Gracie Tampa), bronze medal
\nWIN Tanya Miyasaki (United States), submission, 4:28
\nLOSS Bahar Shahidi (United States), 2-4
\nLOSS Katherine Gifford (Great Britain)<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Tanya Miyasaki, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
\nLOSS Cristina Rodriguez (United States), submission, 4:28<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Jessica Ortiz, Vallejo, Calif. (Spartan WC)
\nLOSS Bahar Shahidi (United States), submission, 1:42<\/p>\n
55 kg\/121 lbs. – Courtney Martell, New Haven, Vermont (Missouri Valley College)
\nLOSS Katherine Gifford (Great Britain), submission, 1:39<\/p>\n
63 kg\/138.75 lbs.- Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (unattached), gold medal
\nWIN Daly Aishling (Ireland), 5-0
\nWIN Rachel Wheathey (Great Britain), submission, 4:18
\nWIN Llovdmila Soundovkova (Russia), 7-5 overtime<\/p>\n
63 kg\/138.75 lbs.- Crystina Coats, San Diego, Calif. (The Boxing Club)
\nLOSS Llovdmila Soundovkova (Russia), 0-5<\/p>\n
72 kg\/158.5 lbs. – Valerie Worthington, Whittier, Calif. (New Breed\/Hollywood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), gold medal
\nWIN Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 7-2
\nWIN Bethany Harris (United States), submission, 3:08<\/p>\n
72 kg\/158.5 lbs.”Bethany Harris, Valley Center, Calif. (No Limits), bronze medal
\nLOSS Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 2:09
\nLOSS Valerie Worthington (United States), submission, 3:08<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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