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U.S. wins four Beach Wrestling bronze medals in Camyuva, Turkey
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/08/2007
CAMYUVA, TURKEY – The United States won four bronze medals at the Beach Wrestling World Championships, the second event at the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey, September 8.
U.S. athletes who captured bronze medals included:
* Jeff Funicello (Mesa, Ariz./American Pankration) at the Men Under 85 kg/187.25 lbs. division
* Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) at the Men Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs. division
* Bethany Harris (Valley Center, Calif./No Limits) in the Women’s Under 70 kg/154 lbs. division
* Tanya Miyasaki (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Missouri Valley College) in the Women’s Under 70 kg/154 lbs. division
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For Dolmo, it was his second World medal of the week, after winning a bronze medal at the World Sombo Championships on Friday. Dolmo is the only athlete who competed in last year’s World Beach Championships, placing fifth in this division last year.
This brings the U.S. total up to eight medals for the week, after capturing four medals in the Sombo World Championships on Friday.
“We had a few matches that could have gone either way, and we would have been in the finals,” said U.S. coach Floyd Winter. “It was a better beach event this year. It is very tough to compete against the host team from Turkey, who can enter multiple athletes and has the home advantage. Our team showed great fight, camaraderie and sportsmanship.”
Beach Wrestling matches are three minutes long, and the first athlete to score two points win the match. An athlete can score by getting a takedown, forcing his opponent out of bounds or knocking the rival to the ground.
Funicello had a great start, winning his first matches by identical 2-0 scores, stopping Bryce Santaniello of the United States and Kitaura Norohiko of Japan. In the semifinals, Funicello lost a competitive 0-2 match against Kataura Noriyuki of Japan, who went on to win the gold medal.
“It was a great experience. I am blessed to be here,” said Funicello. “I know you can’t let the matches be close. I am happy about the bronze medal. After all the years I have been involved, it is great to finally have a World medal. I have been around a long time, and it is a tremendous feeling to win this medal.”
Dolmo opened his tournament with a 2-0 victory over Jeff Monson of United States, 2-0, scoring two points on pushouts. In the semifinals, Dolmo lost a controversial battle with Fatih Atli of Turkey, 1-2. There was a situation where Dolmo believes he forced his opponent out of bounds, and initially the bout was scored with Dolmo as the winner. After an intense discussion between the officials and coaches, officials scored the match at 1-1 and had the wrestlers continue to compete. Bas scored the next takedown for the win. The decision of the mat referee is final, and there is no protest procedure at this event.
“I thought I competed well,” said Dolmo. “I am disappointed I didn’t get the gold medal. In the semifinal match, I pushed him for the score. The ref didn’t see it. We are competing on foreign soil and that is how it goes some time. In my mind, I am the World champion. I am very happy with how I competed. Overall our team had a successful day. The coaches helped us out, starting with my club coach Victor (Kupchynskyy), Coach (Floyd) Winter and the other coaches. I want to thank them for the great strategy and supporting us, as well as USA Wrestling for supporting all of us.”
Harris opened her event with a victory over Jessica Ortiz of United States, 2-0. In the semifinals, she was defeated in a very competitive 1-2 match against Natalia Ivanova of Russia.
“I was really relaxed and pretty focused,” said Harris. “I went out, did my best, and let God take care of the rest. I think it was a great experience. This is my first overseas trip. I thought it was fun, and a good spectator sport. It is fun to watch and to participate in,”
Miyasaki was in the top bracket and advanced into the semifinals, where she was defeated by eventual champion Margarita Montez of Spain, 1-2.
“I had a good draw. It was hard being the lightest in the weight class. It was difficult at times. This has been a good experience. I am excited about taking a bronze medal and representing the United States. This is an interesting sport,” said Miyasaki.
FILA awarded two bronze medalists in each weight class, given to the losing athletes from the semifinals. FILA held a special match between the two bronze medalists. Two of the U.S. bronze medalists won that match. Dolmo beat Savas Bas of Turkey, 2-0 and Harris beat Miyasaki, 2-0. Funicello was beaten by Erhan Dik of Turkey, 1-2.
“What impressed me was Carlos Dolmo. He improved significantly from last year. He is with the best in the world among Beach wrestlers. Jeff Funicello is another one who had a close call and could have been in the finals. Our women had great courage. Some weighed much less than their opponents. We are right there. We need to let other athletes know that they should participate in this sport,” said Winter.
The World Wrestling Games complete on Sunday with the historic first FILA World Grappling Championships. The United States has a large delegation of athletes in both the men’s and women’s divisions, with high expectations in the team race.
BEACH WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Camuyva, Turkey, September 8, 2007
Men’s Under 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
Gold – Kataura Noriyuki (Japan)
Silver – Usman Majeed (Pakistan)
Bronze – Erhan Dik (Turkey)
Bronze – Jeff Funicello (United States)
Men’s Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
Gold – Fatih Atli (Turkey)
Silver – Bayram Erkan (Turkey)
Bronze – Carlos Dolmo (United States)
Bronze – Savas Bas (Turkey)
Women’s Under 70 kg/154 lbs.
Gold – Margarita Montez (Spain)
Silver – Natalia Ivanova (Russia)
Bronze – Brittany Harris (United States)
Bronze – Tanya Miyasaki (United States)
U.S. performances
Men Under 85 kg/187.25 lbs.
Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration)
WIN Bryce Santaniello (USA), 2-0
WIN Kitaura Norohiko (Japan), 2-0
LOSS Kataura Noriyuki (Japan), 0-2
LOSS Erhan Dik (Turkey), 1-2
J.P. Reese, Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla. (Parkland Destructors)
LOSS Kataura Noriyuki (Japan), 1-2
Jake Bohn (Kentwood, Mich./unattached)
WIN Abdullah Ayak (Turkey), 2-1
LOSS Kataura Noriyuki (Japan), 2-0
Bill Cooper, Santa Barbara, Calif. (Paragon BJJ Academy)
LOSS Serhat Gokmen (Turkey), 0-2
Bryce Santaniello, Santa Ana, Calif. (No Limits)
LOSS Jeff Funicello (United States), 0-2
Men Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
Carlos Dolmo, Bronx, N.Y. (Blast Double NY), Bronze medal
WIN Jeff Monson (United States), 2-0
LOSS Fatih Atli (Turkey), 1-2
WIN Savas Bas (Turkey), 2-0
Rawle Shewprashad, New York, N.Y. (Blast Double NY)\
WIN Douglas Fournet (USA), 2-1
LOSS Savas Bas (Turkey), 1-2
Douglas Fournet, Denham Springs, La. (Gladiators Academy)
LOSS Rawle Shewprashad (USA), 1-2
Jeff Monson, Coconut Creek, Fla. (Victory Athletics)
LOSS Carlos Dolmo (United States), 2-0
Ramon Diaz, Testin, Calif. (No Limits)
WIN Kaltsidis Charalampos (Greece), 2-1
LOSS Erkan Bayram (Turkey), 0-2
Women Under 70 kg/154 lbs.
Bethany Harris, Valley Center, Calif. (No Limits), Bronze medal
WIN Jessica Ortiz (United States), 2-0
LOSS Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 1-2
WIN Tanya Miyasaki (USA), 2-0
Tanya Miyasaki, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College), Bronze medal
LOSS Margarita Montez (Spain), 1-2
LOSS Bethany Harris (USA), 0-2
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Jessica Ortiz, Vallejo, Calif. (Spartan WC)
LOSS Bethany Harris (United States), 2-0
Courtney Martell, New Haven, Vermont (Missouri Valley College)
LOSS Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 1-2
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U.S. sweeps nine gold medals at Grappling World Championships in Turkey
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/09/2007
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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.
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.
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.
All nine World champions captured gold medals at the USA Wrestling Grappling World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev. in June.
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.
“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,” said U.S. World Team Coach Bob Anderson.
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.
“The team performed at the highest level against great competition,” 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.”
Claiming silver medals for the United States were:
• Matthew Sanchez (Sacramento, Calif./Ultimate Fitness) at 62 kg/136.5 lbs.
• Bill Cooper (Santa Barbara, Calif./Paragon BJJ Academy) at 80 kg/176 lbs.
• Matt Horwich (Eagle Creek, Ore./Team Quest) at 92 kg/202.5 lbs.
• Ramon Diaz (Testin, Calif./No Limits), silver medal at 125 kg/275 lbs.
• Bahar Shahidi (Denver, Colo./Grapplers Edge) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Winning bronze medals for the United States were:
• Jake Bohn (Kentwood, Mich./unattached) at 70 kg/154 lbs.
• Michael Kelly (Hebron, Ill./Gilbert Grappling) at 80 kg/176 lbs.
• Ryan Gillespie (San Diego, Calif./The Boxing Club) at 92 kg/202.5 lbs.
• Douglas Fournet (Denham Springs, La./Gladiators Academy) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
• Rawle Shewprashad (New York, N.Y./Blast Double NY) at 125 kg/275 lbs.
• Cristina Rodriguez (Tampa, Fla./Gracie Tampa) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
• Bethany Harris (Valley Center, Calif./No Limits) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
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.
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.
No Limits Mixed Martial Arts is the Official Sponsor for the U.S. World Teams for Grappling and Sombo.
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.
GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Women
48 kg/105.5 lbs.- Lisa Ward, Lacey, Wash. (United Fight Team), gold medal
WIN Lisa Newton (Great Britain), 6-0
WIN Melciv Mirella (Romania), submission, 0:25
55 kg/121 lbs. - Felicia Oh, Tarzana, Calif. (JJ Machado/BJMUTA), gold medal
WIN Katherine Gifford (Great Britain), 12-2
WIN Bahar Shahidi (United States), submission, 2:35
55 kg/121 lbs. - Bahar Shahidi, Denver, Colo. (Grapplers Edge), silver medal
WIN Jessica Ortiz (United States), submission, 1:42
WIN Cristina Rodriguez (United States), 4-2
LOSS Felicia Oh (United States), submission, 2:35
55 kg/121 lbs. - Cristina Rodriguez, Tampa, Fla. (Gracie Tampa), bronze medal
WIN Tanya Miyasaki (United States), submission, 4:28
LOSS Bahar Shahidi (United States), 2-4
LOSS Katherine Gifford (Great Britain)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tanya Miyasaki, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Missouri Valley College)
LOSS Cristina Rodriguez (United States), submission, 4:28
55 kg/121 lbs. - Jessica Ortiz, Vallejo, Calif. (Spartan WC)
LOSS Bahar Shahidi (United States), submission, 1:42
55 kg/121 lbs. - Courtney Martell, New Haven, Vermont (Missouri Valley College)
LOSS Katherine Gifford (Great Britain), submission, 1:39
63 kg/138.75 lbs.- Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (unattached), gold medal
WIN Daly Aishling (Ireland), 5-0
WIN Rachel Wheathey (Great Britain), submission, 4:18
WIN Llovdmila Soundovkova (Russia), 7-5 overtime
63 kg/138.75 lbs.- Crystina Coats, San Diego, Calif. (The Boxing Club)
LOSS Llovdmila Soundovkova (Russia), 0-5
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Valerie Worthington, Whittier, Calif. (New Breed/Hollywood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), gold medal
WIN Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 7-2
WIN Bethany Harris (United States), submission, 3:08
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Bethany Harris, Valley Center, Calif. (No Limits), bronze medal
LOSS Natalia Ivanova (Russia), 2:09
LOSS Valerie Worthington (United States), submission, 3:08