Shawn Bunch in action at the 2011 Takhti Cup. Photo from Iranian Wrestling Federation website

KISH ISLAND, Iran – Two U.S. wrestlers placed fifth in their divisions on the final day of men’s freestyle action at the Takhti Cup on Sunday.

Earning fifth place were Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Trent Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. Both were members of the 2009 U.S. World Team.

Bunch opened with wins over Meysam Heydari of Iran, 2-0, 0-3, 4-3 and M. Aghajani of Iran, 0-3, 3-0, 0-1. He was defeated in the semifinals by Abbas Suraki Dabbaghi of Iran, 1-4, 2-0, 1-2

In the bronze-medal match, Bunch fell to A. Goligarmestani of Iran, 1-0, 0-1, 0-1.

Paulson opened with a win over Kuzma Stvtsev, but was defeated in the second round by eventual champion Hassan Tahmasebi of Iran, 1-3, 0-2. Tahmasebi was a 2007 World bronze medalist.

After winning his first repechage bout over Hamed of Iran, 6-1, 1-0, Paulson fell in the bronze-medal bout to Morteza Rezeighleh of Iran, 3-5, 1-4.

Two U.S. wrestlers did not place on Sunday, Lloyd Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

On Saturday, Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) claimed a silver medal at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

The United States placed third in the final standings behind Iran and Krygyzstan.

TAKHTI CUP
At Kish Island, Iran, Feb. 27

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold – Bazar Bazargurev (Kyrgyzstan)
Silver – Abbas Suraki Dabbaghi (Iran)
Bronze – Abbas Goligarmestani (Iran)
Bronze – Hadi Hajian (Iran)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Hassan Tahmasebi (Iran)
Silver – Hossam Moghaddam (Iran)
Bronze – Iman Mohammadian (Iran)
Bronze – Morteza Rezeighleh (Iran)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold – S. Azarshakib (Iran)
Silver – Kamil Ghasemi (Iran)
Bronze – Khashayar Dehestankalagar (Iran)
Bronze – Parviz Hadi Basmnaj (Iran)

U.S. performances

60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC), 5th
WIN Meysam Heydari (Iran), 2-0, 0-3, 4-3
WIN M. Aghajani (Iran), 0-3, 3-0, 0-1
LOSS Abbas Suraki Dabbaghi (Iran), 1-4, 2-0, 1-2
LOSS A. Goligarmestani (Iran), 1-0, 0-1, 0-1

74 kg/163 lbs. - Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5th
WIN Kuzma Stvtsev
LOSS Hassan Tahmasebi (Iran), 1-3, 0-2
WIN Hamed (Iran), 6-1, 1-0
LOSS Morteza Rezeighleh (Iran), 3-5, 1-4

74 kg/163 lbs. - Lloyd Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC), dnp
WIN Semen Makarov, 3-0, 7-0
WIN Rezaei Kalvani (Iran), 3-0, 1-2, 3-3
LOSS Morteza Rezeighleh (Iran)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), dnp
LOSS Parviz Hadi Basmnaj (Iran), 3-0, 0-1, 0-1

Team Standings
1. Iran's 69 points 
2. Kyrgyzstan 47 points 
3. United States, 42 points
4. Russia, 41 points 
5. Mongolia, 27 points
6. Turkey, 23 points 
7. North Korea, 15 Points