Armed Forces wrestlers began freestyle competition today at the 4th Military World Games in Hyderabad, India.  

Three U.S. military wrestlers were eliminated from contention for medals. Russia earned two gold medals in the three contested weight classes, both by past World champions, Alan Dudaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Khadjimurad Gatsalov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
 
At 55 kg/121 lbs., Eric Albarracin of the U.S. Army lost to Abdul Karim of Afghanistan 0-1 and 0-2.  

Albarracin, who won the gold medal in Greco-Roman and Freestyle at the Armed Forces Championships last March, gave up a takedown midway through the first period. In the second period, Karim again scored first on a takedown, and added one more point for the win.  

Albarracin, who has been focusing on Greco-Roman since 2004, said, "I just tried to wrestle offensively and stay on the attack.  He kept his arms out which made it difficult to penetrate and get to the leg."
 
"I felt like he was a good counter wrestler and he had a snap down off of my shot.  I really couldn't get anything going enough to finish," he said.
 
With his Army job, Albarracin serves as the Officer in Charge of Modern Army Combatives at Fort Carson, Colorado.  Ever the warrior, he competed earlier this year in the Sombo and Grappling World Championships in Turkey.      
 
At 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Glenn Garrison, also of the Army, lost to Babrnak Dujan of Slovakia 0-5 and 2-4.  

Garrison, a  past U.S. Nationals Champion in Greco-Roman, did not wrestle Greco-Roman at the Armed Forces Championships last March and technically did not qualify to wrestle this style in India. 
 
In the first period, Garrison was taken down twice and turned once.  He also lost a point when going out of bounds.  Although Garrison scored the first point on a takedown in the second period, Dujan quickly responded with a takedown and gut wrench of his own.  Each wrestler went out of bounds once, but the margin had already been secured.
 
"I was thinking that I had to do something else besides letting him grab my leg," said Garrison.  
 
When asked about competing in freestyle, Garrison was yeoman in his response.  

"It's two different styles, but it's still wrestling.  It is different because you are not as aware of the leg issue.  If you don't use it, you lose it," he said.
 
Assistant Coach Dan Hicks of the U.S. Marine Corps also noted the challenge. 

 "It is almost like doing two different sports, especially for smaller guys.  The positions don't transfer over to freestyle easily.  To me, Greco-Roman is a completely different mentality than freestyle," said Hicks
 
In 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Brad Ahern of the U.S. Army lost his first match to the eventual gold medal winner Khadzimurat Gatsalov of Russia, 0-1 and 0-3.  Gatsalov scored all of his points in the match on three takedowns and a step out.
 
As Gatsalov moved ahead in the tournament, Ahern then lost to Elder Atakishiyev of Azebaijan, 1-0, 0-1 and 0-1.  Atakishiyev won the second and third periods on the single leg clinch from the coin toss.
 
According to Ahern, "He had pretty good position and I didn't have as good of a position as I would have liked.  If I had driven him out of bounds I would have given up my position and he would have had a shot."
 
When asked about the competition, Ahern was impressed with the quality of the competition. 

 "This is a very tough tournament.  There was a world champion in almost every weight class.  I knew it would be tough based on what every one told me," he said
 
Like many of his teammates, Ahern is primarily a Greco-Roman wrestler. 

"Still, wrestling is wrestling," said the Army competitor.  "I should have won just as I do in Greco."
 
The Military World Games wrestling competition will conclude tomorrow with freestyle competition in the final four weight classes.
 
MILITARY WORLD GAMES
At Hyderabad, India, Oct. 19

Freestyle medalists

55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Yaang Jea Hoon (Korea) 
Silver - Mararian Gevork (Ukraine)
Bronze - Abdul Karim (Afghanistan)
Bronze - Adham Achilov (Uzbekistan)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Alan Dudaev (Russia)
Silver - Chun Song Yang (North Korea)
Bronze - Pavel Hrybailau (Belarus) 
Bronze - Jung Young Ho (Korea)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Khadzimurat Gatsalov (Russia)
Silver - Jafar Daliri (Iran)
Bronze - Recep Cakir (Turkey)
Bronze - Mihai Stroia (Romania)

Click here for official website of the Military World Games