GROZNY, Russia – Keith Gavin (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC), finished with a 1-1 record at 84 kg/185 lbs., the top U.S. performance on the final day of the Ramzan Kadirov Cup for the prizes of Adlan Varaev.

Gavin, a Freestyle Team USA member, opened with a victory over Vladislav Hetahurov of Russia, 1-0, 3-0. He fell in the next round to Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan, 5-5, 0-1. When Tigiev failed to reach the finals, Gavin was eliminated from the tournament.

Two other U.S. athletes dropped their first match and did not qualify for the repechage: Chase Pami (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and James Yonushonis (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

“It was a tough day and a tough tournament,” said U.S. coach John Stutzman. “We were winning most of our matches and scoring points which is a positive.  I felt we had chances to win we just needed to close out our matches.”

RAMZAN KADIROV CUP/ADLAN VARAEV PRIZES INTERNATIONAL
At Grozny, Russia, October 9

U.S. men’s freestyle performances

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Chase Pami, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
LOSS Arslan Arslanov (Russia), 0-1, 0-2

84 kg/185 lbs. - Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
WIN Vladislav Hetahurov (Russia), 1-0, 3-0
LOSS Soslan Tigiev (Uzbekistan), 5-5, 0-1

84 kg/185 lbs. - James Yonushonis, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
LOSS Aslan Junaev (Russia), 0-2, 2-2