Hrovat takes gold, four Americans win medals on first day of Henri Deglane Challenge

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
11/26/2005


Nice, France -  Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) won a gold medal at 84 kg/185 lbs. at the Henri Deglane Challenge on Friday evening by defeating fellow American Chris Pendleton (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) in a men's freestyle final, 6-0, 0-3, 1-1.

Hrovat swept through four opponents on his way to the gold medal, as he continued his strong start to the 2005-06 freestyle season.

Also winning a medal in men's freestyle competition was Angel Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) with a silver at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Cejudo won his first two matches with 6-0 scores in all four periods wrestled. In the finals, he dropped a 6-0, 1-0 decision to Petru Toarca of Romania, who placed fourth in the 2002 World Championships.

Ron Groves (Colorado Springs, Colo./Unattached) posted a 1-1 record and Aaron Holker (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) lost his first-round bout. Both competed at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

In Greco-Roman competition, John Wechter (East Lansing, Mich./Sunkist Kids) won a bronze medal at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Wechter downed Asian Junior champion Davoud Hadavand of Iran in the first round before losing to eventual champion Denis Forov of Russia in the second round. Forov was a 2003 Junior World champion.

After winning one bout in the consolation bracket, Wechter defeated Pedro Garcia of Spain, 2-0, 3-0, for the bronze.

Also competing for the U.S. in Greco-Roman but not placing were Willie Madison (Metairie, La./Gator WC/USOEC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Mark Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

On Saturday, two more men's weight classes, 74 kg/163 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs., will compete in each style as will three women's weight classes, 55 kg/121 lbs., 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and 67 kg/147.5 lbs.