Williams, Hartung claim gold medals at Kiev Grand Prix in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 23
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
02/24/2002
Two U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals, Joe Williams (Coralville, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) and Tim Hartung (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at the Kiev Grand Prix in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 23. Williams claimed the 74 kg/163 lbs. title, scoring a tight 4-3 decision over Vladimir Sirotin of Ukraine in the finals. Williams, a 2001 World bronze medalist, won five matches in the tournament, including a 4-0 decision over Kuniniko Ovata of Japan in the semifinals. Hartung captured the 97 kg/211.5 lbs. title, also defeating Vasil Tismenetskiy of Ukraine in the finals, 6-2. Hartung won four bouts in the tournament, including a clutch 4-1 win over veteran Krasimir Kotchev of Bulgaria in the semifinals. Tolly Thompson (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) captured the bronze medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. after pinning Martin Lazarov of Bulgaria in the bronze-medal bout. Thompson, a 1998 U.S. Nationals champion, had a 3-1 record in the tournament. Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) placed fourth at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. with a 3-2 record. Bono was defeated in the bronze-medal match by Leonid Spiridonov of Russia, 4-1. Bono competed for the USA at the 2001 World Championships. Other U.S. placewinners were Charles Burton (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC), who was sixth at 84 kg/185.5 lbs., Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids), who was seventh at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Eric Akin (Lincoln, Neb./Dave Schultz WC), who was eighth at 55 kg/121 lbs.