Two U.S. freestyle wrestlers won bronze medals on the first day of competition at the Alexander Medved International in Minsk, Belarus, Oct. 19.

Taking third in their weight classes were Matt Azevedo (Pismo Beach, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Shawn Bunch (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs.

"We are excited to get a tough international competition this early into the Olympic year," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "The guys are fighting hard and getting better. We must continue to improve. Azevedo and Bunch came back strong for the bronze medals. They realize that they must continue to improve to reach their goals. Our team only gets stronger as we move into the last two days of competition."  

Azevedo opened the competition with wins against two Russian opponents, capturing both matches in two straight periods. In the semifinals, he was beaten by eventual runner-up Rizvan Gadtyiev of Belarus, 2-0, 0-2, 1-1. 

Azevedo rebounded to win his bronze-medal match by pin, putting away A. Zamahov of Azerbaijan, 1-2, 2-0, pin 1:58. Azevedo was leading 5-2 in the final period when he secured the fall.

Azevedo is currently ranked No. 2 in the United States at his weight class.

Bunch, who is a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, opened the tournament with a victory over W. Magonedov of Kazakhstan, 6-0, 2-0. He was beaten in the second round by eventual champion Magomedov Magoedchamil of Belarus, 1-4, 1-4.

He rebounded with two victories in the wrestleback rounds to claim his bronze medal. His first win was over M Wachdah of Kazakhstan, 1-0, 2-0. In the bronze medal bout, Bunch needed three periods to defeat veteran Alexander Kontoev of Belarus, 1-0, 0-3, 3-0.

Capturing fifth at 55 kg/121 lbs., with a 3-2 record for the day, was Nick Simmons (Williamston, Mich/Sunkist Kids). Simmons won his first two bouts, before losing to eventual champion Esrapilov Hariman (Russia). After another win in the wrestlebacks, Simmons fell in the bronze-medal bout to Shaulov Haibula of Russia, 0-6, 0-4. 

Three weight classes will be contested on Saturday, and eight U.S. wrestlers weighed in and received their first-round draws. Among those competing on Saturday are 2005 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff (Madison, Wis./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs., as well as past U.S. World Team members Chris Bono (Ringgold, Ga./Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

ALEXANDER MEDVED INTERNATIONAL
at Minsk, Belarus, October 19-21

Freestyle medalists

55 kg/121 lbs. 
Gold - Esrapilov Hariman (Russia)
Silver - Rizvan Gadtyiev (Belarus)
Bronze - Matt Azevedo (USA)
Bronze - Shaulov Haibula (Russia)

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Magomedov Magoedchamil (Belarus)
Silver - Alexander Karnitski (Belarus)
Bronze - Shawn Bunch (USA)
Bronze - (Kazakhstan)

U.S. performances

55 kg/121 lbs. - Matt Azevedo, Pismo Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 3rd
WIN B Kydepthob (Russia), 1-1, 3-0
WIN K. Axapov (Russia), 3-0, 4-1
LOSS Rizvan Gadtyiev (Belarus), 2-0, 0-2, 1-1
WIN A. Zamahov (Azerbaijan), 1-2, 2-0, pin 1:58

55 kg/121 lbs. - Nick Simmons, Williamston, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 5th
WIN A Kaprknh (Russia), 3-1, 0-1, 1-0
WIN O Maxaninov (Russia), 4-1, 40-7, 1-0
LOSS Esrapilov Hariman (Russia), 0-4, 0-5
WIN K. Axapov (Russia), pin 1:52 of second period
LOSS Shaulov Haibula (Russia), 0-6, 0-4

55 kg/121 lbs. - Adam Smith, Newport, Pa. (New York AC), dnp
LOSS H. Anapanov (Russia), pin 0:45
LOSS A. Zamahov (Azerbaijan), 0-3, 3-3

60 kg/132 lbs. - Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), dnp
LOSS Alexander Kontoev (Belarus), 1-3, 2-0, 0-3

60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3rd
WIN W. Magonedov (Kazakhstan), 6-0, 2-0
LOSS Magomedov Magoedchamil (Belarus), 1-4, 1-4
WIN M Wachdah (Kazakhstan), 1-0, 2-0
WIN Alexander Kontoev (Belarus), 1-0, 0-3, 3-0

U.S. draws for Saturday, October 20

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jared Frayer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
vs. Chris Bono (USA)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Chris Bono, Ringgold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Jared Frayer (USA)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Zack Esposito, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
vs. Taurevskey (Russia)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
vs. A. Magomedov (Russia)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
vs. Magomed Ebragemov (Russia)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
vs. Chibko (Belarus)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
vs. Goneharoe (Belarus)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
vs. Aigym (Russia)