Aaron Yoches receives his gold medal in Gi Grappling at the FILA World Championships. Photo courtesy of Rusty Davidson LONDON, Canada – The United States claimed three medals in the Gi Grappling competition at the Grappling World Championships on Friday. Claiming a gold medal for the USA was Aaron Yoches (Denver, Colo./Team EDGE) at 100 kg/220 lbs. In his championship match, he defeated a Romanian opponent, who was a judo black belt, by an 8-0 margin. Taking bronze medals were Jayson Patino (Orlando, Fla./American Top Team) at 71 kg/156.25 lbs. and Robert Yamashita (Bloomington, Ind./Navy) at 84 kg/185 lbs. Patino opened with a pair of close losses, falling to an Italian opponent, 0-1, and a Russian opponent, 0-2. After a forfeit win over a Swedish opponent, Patino closed out with a 1-0 win over a Belgian to secure his bronze medal. Yamashita dropped a close opening bout to a Canadian opponent, 1-2, then rallied with wins over Greece, 5-0 and France, 1-0 in overtime to bring home his bronze medal. The other U.S. athlete to place was John Cicio (Orlando, Fla./ATT Winter Springs), who was sixth at 62 kg/136.5 lbs. “Every one of these guys were in their first year on our U.S. Gi team. We did very well. This was a good group of guys representing our nation,†said U.S. coach Sheldon Marr. The competition concludes on Saturday with the No-Gi Grappling competition. The United States was third in this discipline at the last two Grappling World Championships, and has won three past World Team titles. GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS At London, Canada, June 14, 2013 U.S. Men’s Gi results 62 kg/136.5 lbs. – John Cicio, Orlando, Fla., (ATT Winter Springs), 6th WIN Hungary, 4-0 LOSS Italy, submission (arm bar) LOSS Sweden, submission (choke) LOSS Romania, 3-3 (lost criteria) 71 kg/156.25 lbs. – Jayson Patino, Orlando, Fla., (American Top Team), 3rd LOSS Italy, 0-1 LOSS Russia, 0-2 WIN Sweden, forfeit WIN Belgium, 1-0 77 kg/169.5 lbs. – Peter Sutton, Hemet, Calif., (Stable Jiu Jitsu), dnp WIN Canada 1-0 LOSS Italy, 1-2 LOSS Romania, submission (choke) LOSS Canada, 0-2 84 kg/185 lbs. – Robert Yamashita, Bloomington, Ind., (Navy), 3rd LOSS Canada 1-2 WIN Greece 5-0 WIN France 1-0, ot 92 kg/202.5 lbs. – Shaun Scott, Millersville, Pa., (Modern Day Gladiators), dnp LOSS Italy, submission (ankle lock) LOSS Romania, submission (choke) 100 kg/220 lbs. – Aaron Yoches, Denver, Colo., (Team EDGE), 1st WIN Romania, 8-0 Coaches – Sheldon Marr, Aurora, Colo. and Nick Marr, Aurora, Colo. Referee – Rusty Davidson, Grants, N.M.