DOMDIDIER, Switzerland – Two U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals at the Veterans World Freestyle Championships in Switzerland on Friday. 

On Friday, competition was held in the Division B and Division E age-groups.

Capturing gold medals were Robert Porter of Naperville, Ill. (Div. B - 63 kg/138.75 lbs.) and Shirzad Ahmadi of Coventry, Conn. (Div. E - 63 kg/138.75 lbs.).

For Ahmadi, it was his sixth career Veterans World title, making him one of the most successful Veterans wrestlers ever from any nation. Ahmadi defeated opponents from Russia and Kazakhstan to qualify for the finals, where he beat an opponent from Germany for the title.

“It was tougher than I thought it would be,” said Ahmadi. “I trained hard for it. All the hard work paid off. The last match against Germany was very tough. I was behind until the last few second of the final period.”

Ahmadi considers this one of his toughest challenges among his past Veterans World events.

“I am so happy. I think it is getting better quality. Every year it is different. Everybody around the world is training hard for this,” said Ahmadi.

Porter, a former wrestler at Edinboro, claimed his first Veterans title. He was third in his previous Veterans World Championships back in 2001. Porter defeated athletes from Hungary and Germany, before beating an opponent from Bulgaria in the finals.

“In my first match against the Hungarian, I felt very good. Usually, I am a slow starter,” said Porter. “In the second match against Germany, I won 6-0, 4-1. I was wrestling well and being aggressive. I let down when he scored that final point on me. I took that lesson into the finals with Bulgaria. I competed well enough to win. I won the first period, 1-1, and won 1-0 in the second when I defended the clinch.”

Porter felt a great deal of satisfaction after earning his gold medal.

“I am just thrilled. I have so many people to thank. The lesson I learned is that there are so many people behind me and helping me. I look forward to sharing the victory with friends and family back in Naperville,” he said.

The U.S. won a total of five medals on Friday. Capturing silver medals were Martin Kouyoumtjian of Porterville, Calif. (Div. B - 76 kg/167.5 lbs.) and Gary Price of Mifflintown, Pa. (Div. E - 85 kg/187.5 lbs.). Winning a bronze medal was Michael Robinson of Lewiston, Pa. (Div. B - 76 kg/167.5 lbs.).

The USA had 13 athletes compete on Friday. In addition to the five medalists, three others were defeated in a bronze-medal match. 

“Our athletes did a good job,” said U.S. team leader and coach Sam Barber. “They came in shape and were prepared. They all fought hard. Rob and Shirzad wrestled very smart matches.”

On Saturday, there will be competition in Division C and Division D. The event concludes Sunday, with Division A competition.

More results will be provided when available.

VETERANS WORLD FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Domdidier, Switzerland, July 30

U.S. Veterans Medalists on Friday

Div. B
63 kg/138.75 lbs.- Robert Porter, Naperville, Ill., 1st 
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Martin Kouyoumtjian, Porterville, Calif., 2nd
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Michael Robinson, Lewiston, Pa., 3rd

Div. E
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Shirzad Ahmadi, Coventry, Conn., 1st
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Gary Price, Mifflintown, Pa., 2nd