NICE, FRANCE - Ramie Mohlman (Lake Worth, Fla./Seadog WC) won a gold medal at 55 kg/121 lbs., the top U.S. performance at the FILA World Cup of Sombo Wrestling, held at the Salle Serge Leyrit on Nov. 26.

Mohlman was competing in his second international Sombo event, after winning a silver medal at the 2006 World Sombo Championships in Antalya, Turkey, Nov. 2.

Mohlman became the first American to win a FILA Sombo World Cup gold since Steve Biedrycki won in Venezuela in 1984.

Mohlman placed ahead of runner-up Angelo Arlandi of Italy and bronze medalist Farid Dajamkhov of Iran in the round robin finals, winning both matches by total victory.

"Most of us on the U.S. international sombo teams this year are relatively new to the style, but any good wrestler can make the transition to Sombo.  I knew that if I worked hard and remained focused, I had chance to hold my own against any foreign competition," said Mohlman.

"As with any style of wrestling, hard work and determination are key," Mohlman added. "I am grateful to have had this chance to represent my country before hanging up my wrestling shoes for good and I hope to join the coaching ranks next.  This is an exciting style of wrestling... and an opportunity no wrestler should overlook."

The U.S. had two other medalists in the competition. Josiah Henson (Falls Church, Va.) won a silver medal at the 74 kg/163 lbs. division, and Shaun Scott (Millersville, Pa./U.S. Sombo Association) added a bronze medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Both are veteran Sombo athletes who have competed in the style for many years. For Scott, it was his 10th career medal at the Sombo World Cup event, which was previously sponsored by other international federations.

The United States placed third in the team standings, behind champion France and runner-up Spain. A total of six teams entered the competition.

U.S. teammates Mohlman and Scott were both involved with the wrestling team at Eastern Michigan Univ. during the 1980-81 season. Mohlman was a freshman athlete on the team, and Scott served as an assistant wrestling coach there. Now, 25 years later, both were teammates and won medals at the Sombo World Cup.

Serving as a coach for the team was Victor Kupchynskky of New York, N.Y.

FILA WORLD CUP OF SOMBO WRESTLING
At Nice, France, Nov. 26

55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Ramie Mohlman (USA)
Silver - Angelo Arlandi (Italy)
Bronze - Farid Dejamkhov (Iran)

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Daniel Rubino (Spain)
Silver - Laurent Rubino (France P)
Bronze - Abas Beglarbeygi (Iran)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Yeray Jiminez (Spain)
Silver - William Caruso (France)
Bronze -  Jean Robert Monier (France P)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Fanel Carp (France)
Silver - Josiah Henson (USA)
Bronze - Fabrice Anfoso (France P)

84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Nicolas Bernard (France)
Silver - Oscar Saro (Spain)
Bronze - Michael Herrera (France P)
  
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Frederic Le Calvez (France)
Silver - Alberto Sanchez (Spain)
Bronze - Shaun Scott (USA)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold -  Jean Piere Scarpone (France P)
Silver -  Alberto Guerra (Spain)
Bronze -  Mohamed Gaieb (France)

TEAM STANDINGS
1.  France
2.  Spain
3.  United States
4.  France P
5.  Iran U
6.  Italy

U.S. performance, Round Robin results

55 kg/121 lbs.- Ramie Mohlman (Lake Worth, Fla./Seadog WC), 1st
WIN Angelo Arlandi (Italy), total victory
WIN Farid Dejamkhov (Iran), total victory

74 kg/163 lbs. - Josiah Henson (Falls Church, Va.), 2nd
LOSS Fanel Carp (France), 8-4
WIN Fabrice Anfoso (France P), submission

96 kg/211.5 lbs.- Shaun Scott (Millersville, Pa./U.S. Sombo Association), 3rd
LOSS Frederic Le Calvez (France), 0-4
LOSS Alberto Sanchez (Spain), submission