The United States claimed two medals on the first day of competition at the Medved International, held in Minsk, Belarus, March 25.    Claiming a gold medal at the men's 55 kg/121 lbs. division was Sammie Henson (St. Louis, Mo./Sunkist Kids.    Claiming a bronze medal at the women's 48 kg/105.5 lbs. division was Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC).    Henson defeated Otar Sultanov of Russia in the gold medal finals, 1-0, 2-2, 1-0. Sultanov had defeated Henson in a dual meet in Russia earlier this season.    Henson defeated Russian Adam Batirov in the semifinals. (Batirov is twin brother of 2004 Olympic champion Mavlet Batirov).    Henson was a 2000 Olympic silver medalist and was a 1988 World Champion. He placed second in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.    Kunimoto defeated Krygleniya of Belarus in the bronze-medal match, 1-1, 1-0. She had a 3-1 record for the tournament. Kunimoto's only loss was in the semifinals, to the eventual champion  Balvshka of Ukraine.    "They both did a great job," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner of the two U.S. medalists. "They never scored a lot of points, but they pressured people by controlling the tie-ups. They both did a great job moving people. They battled really hard, and never let their opponents get going."    "Sammie would have liked to see more offense in his matches. But sometimes you get into those tough bouts and you score when you can. Katie stayed strong in her matches. She didn't give up easy points like she has in the past. It was a step forward for Katie," said Steiner.    Four weight classes were contested on Friday, and none of the other U.S. wrestlers were able to qualify for the medal matches. Gold medals were awarded in men's 55 kg/121 lbs. and 60 kg/132 lbs., and in women's 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and 51 kg/112.25 lbs.    The other men's champion on Friday was Khavelov of Ukraine, who defeated Guzov of Belarus in the gold-medal match at 60 kg/132 lbs. The women's champions were Balvshka of Ukraine at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and 2004 Olympic champion Irini Merlini of Ukraine, who was wrestling up at 51 kg/112.25 lbs.    Complete results of all of Friday's action will be updated when it becomes available.    Competition on Saturday will include men's 66 kg/145.5 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 84 kg/185 lbs., along with women's 55 kg/121 lbs. and 59 kg/130 lbs.