Aaron Yoches of the USA gets his 100 kg gold in Gi Grappling at the FILA Worlds in London, Canada. Photo courtesy of Rusty Davidson LONDON, Canada – The United States claimed three medals in the Gi Grappling competition at the FILA World Championships for non-Olympic styles 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 Tamas Balla of Romanian, 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 Rudy Demoulin of Belgium to secure his bronze medal. Yamashita dropped a close opening bout to a Canadian opponent, 1-2, then rallied with a win over Greece, 5-0 and secured the bronze medal with a clutch 1-0 win over Jerome Hugot of France, in overtime. The other U.S. athletes to place were John Cicio (Orlando, Fla./ATT Winter Springs), who was fifth at 62 kg/136.5 lbs., Peter Sutton (Hemet, Calif./Stable Jiu Jitsu), who was sixth at 77 kg/169.5 lbs. and Shaun Scott (Millersville, Pa./Modern Day Gladiators), who was seventh at 92 kg/202.5 lbs. Scott won the hearts of fans from all nations. Seventh place in the World Championship may not sound like much, to some. At the age of 66, though, Shaun Scott is definitely an inspiration. “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. Team Italy won the men’s and women’s combined team race. Sweden was second, followed by Romania. FILA’s World Championship for the non-Olympic styles began Wednesday, with competition in Pankration. Thursday’s competition featured Amateur MMA. The event concludes Saturday with, perhaps, its most popular discipline, No-Gi Grappling. The United States was third in No-Gi Grappling at the last two FILA World Championships, and has won three past World Team titles in No-Gi. FILA 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), 5th 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 Rudy Demoulin (Belgium), 1-0 77 kg/169.5 lbs. – Peter Sutton, Hemet, Calif., (Stable Jiu Jitsu), 6th 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), 7th LOSS Italy, submission (ankle lock) LOSS Romania, submission (choke) 100 kg/220 lbs. – Aaron Yoches, Denver, Colo., (Team EDGE), 1st WIN Tamas Balla (Romania), 8-0 Coaches – Sheldon Marr, Aurora, Colo. and Nick Marr, Aurora, Colo. Referee – Rusty Davidson, Grants, N.M.