Jesse Thielke in Greco-Roman competition. USA Wrestling file photo

VARNA, Bulgaria – Jesse Thielke (Germantown, Wis./New York AC) won a bronze medal at 60 kg/132 lbs. on the second day of the Petko Sirakov – Ivan Iliev Junior Open in Vama, Bulgaria on Saturday.

Thielke went 3-1 against some of the toughest FILA Junior competitors on the way to his medal. He finished off the event with a 1-0, 4-0 victory over Kalenov Daniyar of Kazakhstan in the bronze-medal match.

He opened with a 1-0, 2-0 win over Kristijan Simatic of Croatia, then stopped Meir Yerzakov of Kazakhstan, 7-3, 9-0. His only loss came in the semifinals in a tough three-period battle against Behnam Moradibloothesar of Iran, 1-0, 0-4, 0-2.

Thielke has won medals for two straight weekends, after claiming a gold medal at the Austrian Junior Greco-Roman Open last weekend. Thielke has been on three U.S. Junior World Teams. He is currently a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Six other U.S. wrestlers competed on Saturday, none who qualified for a medal match.

The final day will feature competition at the 55 kg/121 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs. weight classes.

PETKO SIRAKOV – IVAN ILIEV JUNIOR OPEN
At Vama, Bulgaria, March 17, 2012

U.S. Greco-Roman performances

50 kg/110 lbs. – Jake Bellis, Bloomington, Ill.
LOSS Askar Saltabayev (Kazakhstan), 0-8, pin
LOSS Alexandru Botez (Romania), 0-8, 0-6

60 kg/132 lbs. – Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (New York AC), 3rd
WIN Kristijan Simatic (Croatia), 1-0, 2-0
WIN Meir Yerzakov (Kazakhstan), 7-3, 9-0
LOSS Behnam Moradibloothesar (Iran), 1-0, 0-4, 0-2
WIN Kalenov Daniyar (Kazakhstan), 1-0, 4-0

60 kg/132 lbs. – Joey Denova, Fortston, Ga. (USOEC)
LOSS Donenbekov Meiirbek (Kazakhstan), 1-0, 0-5, pin
LOSS Askat Shaimerdenov (Kazakhstan), 0-1 pin

60 kg/132 lbs. – Kevin Norstrem, Valrico, Fla.
LOSS Ramin Taherisarting (Iran), 0-3, 0-1
LOSS Rodosiav Vasilev (Bulgaria), 0-4, 7-4, 0-6

60 kg/132 lbs. – Jason Chudzinski, Colonie, N.Y. (USOEC)
LOSS Nurtybek Mukhanbetalin (Kazakhstan), 0-5, Fall
LOSS Meir Yerzakov (Kazakhstan), 0-2, 0-3

74 kg/163 lbs. –Austin Barton, Phoenix, Ariz. (USOEC)
LOSS Payam Bouyenri (Iran), 0-2, 0-7

74 kg/163 lbs. – Caleb Smith, Pakota, Ind.
LOSS Mario Dotzin (Bulgaria), 0-2, 0-1