Andy Hrovat competes during the 2007 season. Larry Slater photo

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia – 2008 U.S. Olympian Andy Hrovat (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) won a bronze medal at the Soslan Andiev International held in this Russian wrestling hotbed on November 13-14.

Hrovat has been living and training in Vladizkavkaz for a number of months, as part of his preparation for the upcoming 2010-11 season and his quest for a spot on his second U.S. Olympic Team.

Hrovat finished with a 4-1 record in this competitive event, defeating Russian Rajab Zakareyav of Dagestan, 2-0, 1-1, 3-2 in the bronze-medal match.

Among his key victories was a clutch quarterfinal win over Russian Aslan Yunaev of Dagestan, 0-1, 4-0, 5-4. Yunaev has been third in the Russian National Championships.

“I wrestled well. I think I had the most confidence going in to this tournament, since I have had since the Olympics,” said Hrovat. “The past year, I had two surgeries and my training was not where it needed to be. I am really enjoying being over here and the coach is happy with my progress.”

Hrovat will compete in a number of tournaments held in Russia during his time there, prior to returning to the United States to compete in the U.S. Open in his hometown of Cleveland in April.

“I took a couple of days off to relax and recover after having five matches in one day. I ended up getting a little sick but I think it was just my body being run down. Tomorrow, I will get back at it and try to improve on this third place finish on the Dec 4th weekend when I will wrestle in another tournament in Krasnodar. After Krasnodar, I will go to Denmark for a few days to visit family and hopefully will come back here recharged to begin training for the Yarygin Memorial in January,” said Hrovat.

The names of Hrovat’s first two opponents will be updated when available.

In addition to competing at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Hrovat was a member of the 2006 U.S. World Team. In the last few seasons, he competed at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., but has made the move back to 84 kg/185 lbs. this year. He was an All-American for the Univ. of Michigan in college.

Hrovat has been keeping a blog of his experiences in Russia, which can be read at:
http://fromrussiawithhrovat.com/

SOSLAN ANDIEV INTERNATIONAL
At Vladikavkaz, Russia, November 13-14

55 kg/121 lbs.
1. Azamat Gizikov (North Ossetia-Alania)
2. Azamat Tuskaev (North Ossetia-Alania)
3. Azamat moves (North Ossetia-Alania)
3. Artem Gebekov (Dagestan) 

60 kg/132 lbs.
1. Victor Tsyndemeev (Moscow region)
2. Abakar Abasgadzhiev (Dagestan) 
3. Akhmed Magomedov (Dagestan)
3. Rustam Abdurashidov (Dagestan) 

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1. Khetag Tsabolov (North Ossetia-Alania)
2. Ruslan Pliyev (North Ossetia-Alania) 
3. Ali Shabanov (Dagestan)
3. Mohammed Said Magomedkhanov (Dagestan) 

74 kg/163 lbs.
1.Kakhaber Khubezhty (Slovakia) 
2.Arsene Challans (Dagestan) 
3.Rasul Rasulov (Dagestan)
3.Refer Gabuev (North Ossetia-Alania) 

84 kg/185 lbs.
1. Magomed Ibragimov (Dagestan) 
2. George Ruban (North Ossetia-Alania) 
3. Andy Hrovat (USA)
3. Vadim Alborov (North Ossetia-Alania) 

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1. Alain Meeting (North Ossetia-Alania) 
2. Zelim Eldzharov (North Ossetia-Alania) 
3. Renat Kachmazov (North Ossetia-Alania)
3. Corato Magomed (Dagestan) 

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1. Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Dagestan) 
2. Valery Bedoev (Ukraine)
3. Vyacheslav Musaev (Ukraine)
3. Alan Khugaev (North Ossetia-Alania)

U.S. performance

84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Cleveland, Ohio (New York AC), 3rd
WIN (Uzbekistan), pin 1st period
WIN (Dagestan), 3-0, 1-0
WIN Aslan Yunaev (Dagestan), 0-1, 4-0, 5-4
LOSS George Ruban (North Ossetia-Alania), 0-1, 0-1
WIN Rajab Zakareyav (Dagestan), 2-0, 1-1, 3-2