Trent Paulson of the United States in action. Larry Slater photo

YEREVAN, Armenia – 2009 U.S. World Team member Trent Paulson (Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) won a bronze medal at 74 kg/163 lbs. on the final day of the Stepan Sarkissian International on Sunday.

Paulson opened the tournament with a loss to eventual champion Musa Murtazaliev of Armenia, 0-1, 3-4. 

When Murtazaliev reached the finals, Paulson was drawn into the repechage, and responded with two straight wins to take the bronze. He beat 2009 European bronze medalist Mulkhaz Muziashvili of Georgia, 1-0, 5-0, and in the bronze-medal bout defeated 2007 Junior World bronze medalist Gocha Lomtatidze of Georgia, 1-0, 0-1, 6-0.

“Trent wrestled well today,” said U.S. coach John Stutzman. “When he attacks and goes to his scoring holds, he is extremely tough and can beat anyone in the world. His first match I felt was controversial, but he then rebounded to claim a bronze in a tough and competitive weight. Trent loves to compete and it shows when he wrestles.”

Another 2009 U.S. World Team member, Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) placed fifth at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Varner defeated Andrank Galastyan of Armenia, 2-2, 4-1, 6-0 in his opening match. He was defeated in the next round by 2007 World champion Georgy Ketoev of Russia, 0-1, 0-1 in the semifinals. Ketoev was also a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist.

In his bronze-medal match, Varner was defeated by Elizbar Odikadze of Georgia, 0-2, 0-1. Varner had defeated Odikadze the previous weekend during the USA vs. Georgia dual meet at the Intercontinental Cup in Khasavyurt, Russia.

“Jake’s weight class was extremely tough, with a past World champion, a Junior World champion and a University World champion in the field,” said Stutzman. “I believe Jake is going to be a force in this weight. He wrestled hard today and with a few corrections, he could have won this tournament.”

Four U.S. wrestlers entered this tournament, and the USA finished with a pair of medals. 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) captured a gold medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. on Saturday.

“The thing I noticed about this team is there passion for the sport. I also noticed the amount of effort and determination that they have to become World and Olympic champions. They all competed well and with little more work they will be right in the mix to win medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games,” said Stutzman.

STEPAN SARKISSIAN INTERNATIONAL
at Yerevan, Armenia, October 24

U.S. performances

74 kg/163 lbs. - Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 3rd
LOSS Musa Murtazaliev (Armenia), 0-1, 3-4
WIN Mulkhaz Muziashvili (Georgia), 1-0, 5-0
WIN Gocha Lomtatidze (Georgia), 1-0, 0-1, 6-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC), 5th
WIN Andrank Galastyan (Armenia), 2-2, 4-1, 6-0
LOSS Georgy Ketoev (Russia), 0-1, 0-1
LOSS Elizbar Odikadze (Georgia), 0-2, 0-1