TUMEN, RUSSIA - Three-time World medalist Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) won a silver medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. on the first day of the Ivan Podubny Grand Prix on Saturday.

This annual competition is considered one of the toughest Greco-Roman events in the world each year, as it includes numerous entries from Russia, as well as many other former Soviet Republics and top wrestling nations.

Byers was defeated in the gold-medal finals by Alexander Anuchin of Russia. Anuchin was a 2007 Military World champion, and placed seventh at the 2009 World Championships.

"Dremiel had a very close match in the final against the Russian," said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser. "Byers won the first period. He lost the second period when they reversed the decision to give Byers a point for his lift and throw. Byers lost the third period when he could not turn the Russian. Dremiel won his first three matches to reach the finals."

Byers was a 2002 World champion, a 2009 World silver medalist and a 2007 World bronze medalist. 

He was the only American to win a medal on Saturday. Russia swept the four gold medals, and only four non-Russian competitors won medals during the day.

"Overall, the guys wrestled well today. The younger guys learned a lot today about what they need to do to improve. Cheney Haight, Jake Curby, Faruk Sahin, Chas Betts and Brandon Rupp all wrestled with a lot of spirit and pushed hard. All lost very close matches. Faruk had our next best performance. He won two matches then lost a close one," said Fraser.

Fraser is certain that the experience will help the team in the long run.

"I am happy about the way our guys fought today. We need to get better in various areas and I think everyone saw where and what they need to do just that. This Poddubny Tournament us one of the toughest in the world and it was great for us to compete in it.  
Much valuable experience was gained today.The tournament was run very well and it was exciting with a great Russian crowd that the filled the house," said Fraser.

The U.S. will have participants in the three weight classes set for Sunday at 60 kg/132 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

There was a banquet on Saturday night, and the U.S. delegation had the opportunity to meet with many great wrestling leaders. Among those on hand was three-time Olympic champion and nine-time World champion Alexander Kareline of Russia, considered the greatest wrestler in modern history.

IVAN PODDUBNY GRAND PRIX
at Tumen, Russia, January 16, 2010

Greco-Roman results

55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Nazir Mankiev (Russia -Krasnoyarsk Territory)
Silver - Ivan Tatarinov (Russia - Novosibirsk) 
Bronze - Sassoon Kaloyan (Russia - Krasnodar Territory)
Bronze - Ivan Blattsev (Russia - Moscow) 

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Seyran Simonyan (Russia - Rostov region)
Silver - Mihran Harutyunyan (Russia - Moscow) 
Bronze - Basil Lukow (Russia - Novosibirsk)
Bronze - Yuri Denisov (Russia - St. Petersburg) 

84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Armen Grigorian (Russia - Moscow)
Silver - Zaur Karezhev (Russia - CBD) 
Bronze - Oleg Shokalov (Russia - Krasnodar-CBD)
Bronze - Alhazur Ozdiev (Kazakhstan) 

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Alexander Anuchin (Russia - Novosibirsk)
Silver - Dremiel Byers (USA) 
Bronze - Nurmakhan Tynaliev (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - Vladimir Mountaineer (Israel) 

U.S. participants on Saturday

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (New York AC)
LOSS Adem Kurak (Russia)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. -Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 
WIN Ilshad Rafudzinov (Uzbekistan)
LOSS Bebut Nugmanov (Kazakhstan)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
WIN Vladimir Shotsky (Ukraine)
LOSS Alhazur Ozdiev (Kazakhstan)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
LOSS Alexander Govachuk (Ukraine)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), silver medal
WIN Zurab Lebanidze (Russia)
WIN Alexander Ostapenko (Russia)
WIN Nurmakhan Tynaliev (Kazakhstan)
LOSS Alexander Anuchin (Russia)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
LOSS Sukhbat Hodzier (Uzbekistan)