Les Sigman receives his 96 kg bronze medal at the Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix Finals. Photo courtesy of Les Sigman

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Les Sigman (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) won a bronze medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in men’s freestyle on the opening day of the 2012 Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix Finals, which began on Friday.

Sigman has dropped to this weight class after previously competing on the international level at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Sigman was a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team.

Sigman lost his opening bout to Arslanbek Aliev of Russia, 4-2, 0-1, 0-1. Aliev went on to win the silver medal, his second at this event to go with his 2009 silver medal.

In the bronze-medal match, he defeated Haci Alicanov of Azerbaijan, 0-3, 1-0, 3-0. Alicanov was a 2010 World Military bronze medalist.

The other U.S. athlete competing in freestyle, Caylor Williams (Greensboro, N.C./YES Wrestling), placed fifth at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Williams had an 0-2 record, losing bouts to two Russian opponents.

Williams, a nationally ranked Greco-Roman wrestler, will also be competing in this tournament in Greco-Roman on Sunday.

The women’s competition will be held on Saturday. The USA will have seven entries, including 2008 University World champion Katherine Fulp-Allen (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2009 Junior World silver medalist Veronica Carlson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.

HEYDAR ALIYEV GOLDEN GRAND PRIX FINALS
At Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 21

Men’s freestyle results

55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold – Nariman Israpilov (Russia)
Silver – Savdumzade Namik (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Azar Pashayev (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Artas Sanaa (Russia)
5th – Artem Gebekov (Russia)
5th – Calel Sulleymanov (Azerbaijan)

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold – Haci Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
Silver – Aghahuseyn Mustafayev (Azerbaijan)
Bronze –Sayatbek Okassov (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Joshgun Azimov (Azerbaijan)
5th – Ramil Alakbarov (Azerbaijan)
5th – Bulat Baltoev (Russia)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Gold – Dauren Zhumagazyyev (Kazahstan)
Silver – Emin Azizov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Gadzhimurad Omarov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Ilyas Bekbulatov (Russia)
5th – Magomedgadzi Abakarov (Russia)
5th – Azamat Omurzhanov (Kazakhstan)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Rashid Kurbanov (Uzbekistan)
Silver – Gadzhi Gadzhiev (Russia)
Bronze – Alexander Gostiev (Russia)
Bronze – Atsamez Sanakove (Russia)
5th – Nurlan Bekzhanov (Kazakhstan)
5th – Jakov Makarashvili (Georgia)

84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold – Magomed Ibragimov (Russia)
Silver – Semen Semenov (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Georgy Rubaev (Russia)
Bronze –Albert Saritov (Russia)
5th – Roman Bakirov (Azerbaijan)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold – Elizbar Odikadze (Georgia)
Silver – Arslanbek Aliev (Russia),
Bronze – Les Sigman (USA)
Bronze – Shamil Akhmedov (Russia)
5th – Haci Alicanov (Azerbaijan
5th – Ilham Abidov (Azerbaijan)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold – Giorgi Sakanelidze (Georgia)
Silver – Eduard Bazrov (Russia)
Bronze –Alan Khugaev (Russia)
Bronze – Ali Isayev (Azerbaijan)
5th –Caylor Williams (USA)
5th – Aslan Dzebisov (Azerbaijan)

U.S. men’s freestyle placements

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), 3rd
LOSS Arslanbek Aliev (Russia), 4-2, 0-1, 0-1
WIN Haci Alicanov (Azerbaijan), 0-3, 1-0, 3-0
 
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Caylor Williams, Greensboro, N.C. (YES Wrestling), 5th
LOSS Eduard Bazrov (Russia), 0-1, 0-3
LOSS Alan Khugaev (Russia), 0-1, 0-1

U.S. women freestyle wrestlers competing on Saturday
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Samantha Klingel, Kresgeville, Pa. (King College)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Emily Martin, Frisco, Texas (King College)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Katherine Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Audrey Morehouse, Moreno Valley, Calif. (OKCU Gator Women’s RTC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Melissa Apodaca, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Amanda Hendey, Beaumont, Calif., (King College)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Veronica Carlson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)