U.S. Greco-Roman delegation enjoys an ice-skating workout in Red Square in Moscow, Russia this week. Four USA athletes will wrestle in the Poddubny Grand Prix this weekend. Photo courtesy of Steve Fraser

The first U.S. international tour team for the 2013 year has gone overseas for top level competition. A small but talented group of U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers are in Russia now for training, and then will compete in the world-famous Ivan Poddubny Grand Prix, set for Tumen, Russia, January 18-19.

There will be two athletes competing at 74 kg/163 lbs.. Andy Bisek (Colorado Springs, Colo./Minnesota Storm), a 2011 World Team member and 2012 Pan American champion, will wrestle in the event, as will 2010 World Team member Jake Fisher (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)

Team USA will also feature two athletes at 185 pounds. 2011 U.S. Open champion Jordan Holm (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm, who was second at the 2012 Olympic Trials, will wrestle, along with Armed Forces Champion and national team member Peter Hicks (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army).

Coaching the U.S. athletes are National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser and Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic.

Only two U.S. athletes have ever won the Podubbny Tournament. Olympian Shawn Sheldon brought home a title in 1989 and Dan Russell was a champion in 1995.

USA Wrestling will be sending  a number of other U.S. teams to compete in top international competitions in all three Olympic styles over the next few months. Updates on rosters as well as results will be posted on TheMat.com.

IVAN PODDUBNY GRAND PRIX
At Tumen, Russia, January 18-19

U.S. Greco-Roman roster
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jake Fisher, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jordan Holm, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Peter Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
National Greco-Roman Coach – Steve Fraser, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach – Momir Petkovic, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Event Schedule

Saturday, January 19
Competition at 55 kg, 66 kg, 84 kg, 120 kg

Sunday, January 20
Competition at 60 kg, 74 kg, 96 kg