YAKUTSK, Russia – Les Sigman (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) won a silver medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. on the final day of  the Dmitry Korkin International on Sunday.

Sigman opened with a win over Mamuka Kordzaia of Georgia, then defeated Omar Kulduev of Russia in the semifinals.

He was defeated in the finals by 2008 World University champion Evgeny Kolomiets of Russia. It was a rematch of a bout during a friendly dual meet between the USA and Russia last week, also won by Kolomiets. 

Sigman was a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team, and was second at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 120 kg. He is competing international at 96 kg for the first time this year.

“Les wrestled well today. In the first two rounds he started off strong. He was able to score a lot of points both offensively and when his opponents were shooting. In the finals he just did not look as sharp as the early rounds. Kolomets is a tough opponent and we can now see where Les is compared to a world class 96kg wrestler,” said U.S. coach Andy Hrovat.

Hrovat is encouraged by Sigman’s abilities at the new division.

“It is early in the season and he is wrestling a new weight. I know Les is a smart wrestler so he will take this loss to heart and use it to motivate him. His potential at this weight class is high and he will make the adjustments needed to jump a level throughout the season,”said Hrovat.

Sigman was the only American to compete on Sunday, which featured competition in three weight classes. The USA finished the weekend with four medals, as the team also had a silver medal at 84 kg/185 lbs. from Max Askren (Somers, N.Y./New York AC) and bronze medals from Chase Pami (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Keith Gavin (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. on Saturday.

Complete results will be updated when available

The U.S. team will travel to Grozny, Russia to compete at the Ramzan Kadirov Cup next weekend.

“Tomorrow we travel to Moscow and the team will meet up with the U.S. University World Team guys and Coach Brandon Slay in Grozny. Overall this trip was a success. Anytime we can get over to Russia and get this much mat time is a positive. We will always improve spending time over here. Not only do these guys get better, but they pass on the knowledge to the other guys training that are back home,” said Hrovat.

DMITRY KORKIN INTERNATIONAL
At Yakutsk, Russia, Oct. 6

Men's freestyle medalists

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Alexander Bogomoev (Russia)
Silver - Bulat Batoev (Russia) 
Bronze - Exiled Aziev (Russia)
Bronze - Radoslav Velikov (Bulgaria) 

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Zaur Makiev (Russia)
Silver - Zurab Naniev (Russia) 
Bronze - Leonid Spiridonov (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - Unarbat Purevdzhav (Mongolia) 

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Evgeni Kolomiets (Russia)
Silver - Les Sigman (USA) 
Bronze - Mamuka Kordzaia (Georgia)
Bronze - Paul Krivtsov (Russia) 

U.S. men’s freestyle performance

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), 2nd
WIN  Mamuka Kordzaia (Georgia)
WIN Omar Kulduev (Russia)
LOSS Evgeny Kolomiets (Russia)