The Greco-Roman competition came to a close at the 4th Military World Games today in Hyderabad, India, as the remaining two military wrestlers from the United States Armed Forces were turned away early.  

Russia captured each of the four gold medals handed out today. Among the Russian champions today were Olympic and World gold medalists Varteres Samurgashev at 74 kg/163 lbs and Alexey Mishin at 84 kg / 185 lbs

Jeremy McLean of the U.S. Marines had a short stay at 60 kg/132 lbs., as he lost to Kun Hol Kim of Korea in the first round, 0-4 and 0-6.  

The match was scoreless in the first period when McLean lost the toss and was quickly turned for an exposure.  Kim took control of the period with a strong gut wrench, while McLean was unable to turn Kim from the top position. The second period belonged to Kim as he sank a deep gut wrench following a takedown.  After a quick lift and throw for three points, the match was over.
 
"He got a high dive and took me straight tomy back and hopped right up to a lift.  That is what got me," said McLean.  

About his short stay in the tournament, the young Marine noted, "I was very frustrated but glad I got the opportunity to represent the U.S. and the Marine Corps." 
 
At 120 kg/264.5 lbs., Mark Simmonds of the U.S. Navy wrestled his first-ever international match against Devender of India.  With the crowd against him, he stepped up to the challenge and won 1-1, 1-1 and 2-1.  

Simmons won the coin toss and the first period, while Devender won the coin toss and the second period. In the third period, Simmonds won the coin toss and was quickly reversed.  Then in a matter of moments, Simmonds reversed Devender to keep the match in his favor.
 
Simmonds lost in the second round to Xenofon Koutsioumpas of Greece 0-4, 1-1 and 1-2.  

Koutsioumpas picked up the first point in the match when Simmonds went out of bounds.  He later turned Simmonds with a gut wrench to win the first period decisively. Simmonds won the second period on the coin toss and his strength in the bottom position.  In the third period, Koutsioumpas again forced Simmonds out of bounds to pick up the first point.  Neither wrestler could turn the other as the match ended 2-1 in favor of Koutsioumpas, who was later beaten by Anuchin Alexander of Russia.
 
"The first match I was disappointed in myself.  The second match I was much stronger," said Simmonds. "It was a really, really good experience.  It was a little nerve-racking being overseas, but I'm definitely glad to have the opportunity.  It gave me a good chance to see what I have to do to be what I want to be."
 
While the U.S. military wrestlers finished the Greco-Roman competition without any medals, Coach Rob Hermann was undaunted.  

"The group wrestled hard and they left it on the mat.  The outcome is not what we wanted, but I am still proud of the guys on their performance, but not the results," said Hermann.
 
The competition continues on Friday and Saturday with Freestyle.   The USA will enter a full team of military wrestlers in Freestyle.
 
MILITARY WORLD GAMES
At Hyderabad, India, Oct. 17

Greco-Roman medalists

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold -Viatcheslav Dzaste (Russia)
Silver - Taleh Israfilov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze - Kun Hol Kim (Korea)
Bronze - Svajuns Liamitis (Lithuania)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Varteres Samurgashev (Russia)
Silver - Mehdi Mohammadi (Iran)
Bronze - Julian Kwit (Poland)
Bronze - Huseyin Akburu (Turkey)

84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Alexey Mishin (Russia)
Silver - Andrei Baranouski (Belarus)
Bronze - Vitaliy Lishchynskyi (Ukraine) 
Bronze - Adomaitis Laimutis (Lithuania) 

120 kg/264 lbs.
Gold - Alexander Anuchin (Russia) 
Silver - Ioseb Chugoshvili (Belarus)
Bronze - Lukasz Banak (Poland)
Bronze - Xenofon Koutsioumpas (Greece) 

Click here for official website of the Military World Games