Tyler Graff poses with his trophies after he won a silver at the Semenov International in Russia. Brian Keck photo

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia – Tyler Graff (Loveland, Colo./New York AC) won a silver medal at 60 kg/132 lbs. at the Vladimir Semenov International on Saturday.

Graff finished the tournament with a 3-1 record. He won his first three bouts stopping Beslan Baisov of Russia, Farruh Alekberov of Azerbarijan and Allahverdi Velijev of Azerbaijan.

In the championship finals, he was defeated by Anvar Kinchuev of Russia in a controversial decision, 2-0, 0-1, 0-1

“Tyler lost in finals to a tough Russian in three periods. He should have won the tournament. He had a very bad call in the finals. Tyler wrestled amazing. Tyler Graff proved he can compete with the best guys in the world,” said U.S. coach Brian Keck.

Graff is taking an Olympic redshirt year from the Univ. of Wisconsin to pursue his Olympic dream.

Coach Keck was also pleased with the performance of Joey Slaton (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC), who finished with a 2-1 record at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Five U.S. wrestlers competed on Saturday, with three dropping their only match of the day.

“Overall. I was very pleased with everyone performance today. Even the guys that lost battled hard and lost close matches,” said Keck.

VLADIMIR SEMENOV INTERNATIONAL
At Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, February 17-19

Men’s freestyle results

55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold - Omak Syuryun (Russia)
Silver - Rashidhan Amirkhanov (Russia)
Bronze - Azamat Tuskaev (Russia)

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Anvar Kinchuev (Russia)
Silver – Tyler Graff (USA) 
Bronze - Dibirgadzhiev Magomed (Russia)
Bronze - Allahverdi Veliyev (Azerbaijan) 

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold - Magomedgadzhi Abakarov (Russia)
Silver - Alibeg Khabibullaev (Russia)
Bronze - Zelimkhan Yusupov (Russia)
Bronze - Timur Khalikov ( Russia)

U.S. men’s freestyle performances

55 kg/121 lbs. - Brandon Precin. Evanston, Ill. (New York AC)
LOSS Samail Lalaev (Russia), 0-2, 0-1

55 kg/121 lbs. - Mark McKnight, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
LOSS Ogan Giginjan (Armenia), 1-2, 1-3

60 kg/132 lbs. - Tyler Graff, Loveland, Colo. (New York AC), 2nd
WIN Beslan Baisov (Russia), 3-1 2-1
WIN Farruh Alekberov (Azerbarijan), 3-0, 6-0
WIN Allahverdi Velijev (Azerbaijan), 0-1, 3-0, 5-0
LOSS Anvar Kinchuev (Russia), 2-0, 0-1, 0-1

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Joey Slaton, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
WIN Ajub Dajdiev (Russia), 0-5, 1-1, 2-1
WIN Maxim Gorokhov (Russia), 3-1 6-1
LOSS Alibekgadzhi Abakarov (Russia), 0-6, 0-1

60 kg/132 lbs. - Justin Pearch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
LOSS Bahtijar Israfilli (Russia), 0-1 0-1