Mike Kelly wins a match at the 2011 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials. Kelly is on the 2012 U.S. Grappling Team. Larry Slater photo

The United States has entered a team of Grapplers to compete in the No-Gi and Gi Grappling divisions at the Grappling World Championships in Krakow, Poland, November 17-18

USA Wrestling selected the competitors by a committee from a large pool of talented applicants. Past success at the world level in the Grappling program was the key priority for the team selection.

The event was originally scheduled for Moscow, Russia, but was moved to Poland only a few weeks prior to the event, after many athletes had already made travel plans. Due to the change in location, a number of athletes were not able to attend and some alternates were included on the final U.S. roster.

The USA will be entering athletes in the No-Gi and Gi Grappling competitions, with some past World champions and medalists on the roster.

In No-Gi, a past Grappling World champion is on the roster, Jeff Monson at Unlimited.

Also on the No-Gi team are past World medalists Matt Betzold at 136 pounds and Mike Kelly at 185 pounds.

The U.S. men’s Gi team will feature past World medalist Jeff Funicello at 202 pounds.

The United States has one of the best Grappling nations in the world, with consecutive team titles in the World Championships from 2006 through 2010 in No-Gi Grappling. Many of the U.S. athletes are expected to do well in Krakow this week.

GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Krakow, Poland, November 17-18

Men’s No-Gi
62 kg – Matt Betzold
66 kg – Ryan Vottero
71 kg – Nick Marr
77 kg – Shane Cross
84 kg – Mike Kelly
92 kg – Jeff Funicello
100 kg – Dan Huber
+100 kg – Jeff Monson

Women No-Gi
53 kg – Diana Anchondo
58 kg – Gabriella Foster

Men Gi
66 kg – Jose Coronel
71 kg – Justin Hayes
77 kg – Shane Cross
84 kg – Danny Clark
92 kg – Jeff Funicello
100 kg – Dan Huber
+100 kg – Kenny Lester

Women Gi
53 kg – Diana Anchondo
58 kg – Gabriella Foster
64 kg – Ryan Rogge

Coaches – Sheldon Marr, Ricardo Liborio

Event Schedule

Saturday, November 17
No-Gi Grappling competition, both men and women, all weights

Sunday, November 18
Gi Grappling competition, both men and women, all weights