KRASNOYARSK, Russia - Weigh-ins have been held and draws announced for the first day of the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix, a major freestyle event which will begin on Friday. Two U.S. wrestlers will compete on Friday.

2010 U.S. World Team member Obe Blanc (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) will wrestle at 55 kg/121 lbs. His first round opponent is Amarhuu Gaadan of Mongolia. Gaadan was seventh in the 2008 Asian Championships.

2009 U.S. World Team member Trent Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will open his competition at 74 kg/163 lbs. against Islam Tsoroev of Russia.

Competition will also be held in women’s wrestling on Friday in three divisions (51 kg/112.25 lbs., 59 kg/130 lbs. and 67 kg/158.5 lbs.) The United States did not enter any women in the tournament this year.

The Ivan Yarygin Memorial is considered one of the best freestyle wrestling tournaments in the world each year. Only 10 American men have ever won this tournament. The last U.S. men's champion was Steve Mocco at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. in 2009. Only five U.S. women have ever won the event, with Kelsey Campbell the last U.S. women's champion back in 2010. 

On Saturday, there will be competition in men’s freestyle at 60 kg/132 lbs. and 66 kg/145.5 lbs. The competition concludes on Sunday in men’s freestyle with three weight divisions: 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and 120 kg/264.5 lbs. In addition, there will be a special competition for the Ivan Yarygin Absolute Cup at the conclusion of the event on Sunday, featuring the champions from 96 kg and 120 kg.

The Russian Wrestling Federation plans to webcast the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix at the following link:
http://ether.tv/player/wrestrus/

Also follow the tournament on the Russian Wrestling Federation website at the link below. To read in English, use Google Translate:
http://www.wrestrus.ru/

IVAN YARYGIN MEMORIAL GRAND PRIX
At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 27

U.S. first round draws
55 kg/121 lbs. – Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
vs. Amarhuu Gaadan (Mongolia)

74 kg/163 lbs. – Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
vs. Islam Tsoroev (Russia)

55 kg draw
1. Jamal Otarsultanov (Russia)
2. Altinbek Alimbaev (Kyrgyzstan)
3. Konstantin Mostepan (Russia)
4. Sinichi Yumoto (Japan)
5. Artyom Gebekov (Russia)
6. Rasul Mamedov (Russia)
7. Yasukiro Inaba (Japan)
8. Mikhail Ivanov (Russia)
9. Erkebola Turgeunbaev (Kazakhstan)
10. Bazar Jalsapov (Russia)
11. Babit Tolenbay (Kazakhstan)
12. Nomin Batbold (Mongolia)
13. Sodnomndash Batbold (Mongolia)
14. Nurlan Makenaliev (Kyrgyzstan)
15. Petr Sivtsev (Russia)
16. Shamil Salihov (Russia)
17. Amarhuu Gaadan (Mongolia)
18. Obe Blanc (USA)
19. Omar Sturyun (Russia)
20. Nariman Israpilov (Russia)
21. Davvahuyag Tumur (Mongolia)
22. Mergen Sanaa (Russia)
23. Mikhail Zakharov (Kyrgyzstan)
24. Alexandr Bogomoev (Russia)
25. Alexandr Koryakin (Russia)
26. Nasibulla Kurbanov (Uzbekistan)
27. Rustam Ampar (Russia)
28. Damdinbazar Tsogtbatar (Mongolia)

74 kg draw
1. Irbek Farniev (Russia)
2. Gabor Hatosh (Hungary)
3. Isa Daudov (Russia)
4. Muslim Dadaev (Russia)
5. Ilgiz Dzhakhpeckov (Kyrgyzstan)
6. Meidsaihan Myagmar (Mongolia)
7. Kirril Terziev (Bulgaria)
8. Kamal Malikov (Russia)
9. Kahaber Hubeshty (CLO)
10. Baras Bazarov (Russia)
11. Stanislav Hatcirov (Russia)
12. Uriy Starostin (Russia)
13. Artyom Ragulin (Russia)
14. Zelimkhan Parangaev (Russia)
15. Islam Tsoroev (Russia)
16. Trent Paulson (USA)
17. Zamir Apajev (Russia)
18. Saba Hubeshty (Russia)
19. Arsen Shalaev (Russia)
20. Gadji Gadjiev (Russia)
21. Umidzhon Ismanov (Uzbekistan)
22. Ruslan Valiev (Russia)
23. Rasul Rasulov (Russia)
24. Takayuki Suzuki (Japan)
25. Ahmed Gazikov (Russia)
26. Zaur Makiev (Russia)