U.S. teams remain undefeated after the first day of the 20th Annual Concord Cup

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John Fuller (TheMat.com)
02/01/2003


U.S. Team #3 won its first dual of the day, defeating Uzbekistan 17-8 and U.S. Teams 1and 2 improved their records to 2-0 as U.S. Team #1 defeated Japan 22-4 and U.S. Team #2 defeated Uzbekistan 19-7.    2002 U.S. World Team member James Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) lost a heart-breaking decision to 2001 World Champion Dilshod Aripov at 60 kg/132 lbs. Gruenwald began the scoring in the first period with two points on a gut wrench, but Aripov came back with a reversal and a gut wrench of his own to tie the score at 2-2 heading into the second period.    Late in the second period, Gruenwald had an opportunity to finish a takedown, but Aripov was able to keep his knees off the mat and force an overtime. In the extra period, Gruenwald locked into the clinch first, but broke his hold, giving Aripov a 3-2 decision.    At 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Mike Ellsworth (Colorado Springs, Colo./Michigan WC) put his team on the winning end with a 3-0 decision over Asliddin Khudayberdiev. Ellsworth used a front headlock throw near the end of the first period to score three exposure points. Those would be the only points he would need.    The win by Ellsworth opened an onslaught of wins by the U.S. team, as they won three of the next four matches.    Darryl Christian (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) won a 3-0 decision over Ruslan Biktyakov at 74 kg/163 lbs., 2002 U.S. World Team member Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) held on for a 2-1 overtime win against Djakhongir Turdiev at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Corey Farkas (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force) defeated Shermakhamad Kuziev 3-1 at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    U.S. Team #1 dominated Japan, winning six of seven weight classes. Ethan Bosch (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) received a forfeit at 84 kg/185 lbs. as did Rulon Gardner (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    The most impressive win for U.S. Team #1 came from 2002 U.S. World Team member T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. Dantzler pinned 2000 Olympic silver medalist Katsuhiko Nagata in the first period after racking up a dominating 6-0 lead with his usual arsenal of lifts and throws.    "That's a real big win for me, especially considering that I let him take me to overtime in November," Dantzler said after getting the crowd on their feet with his pin. "I'm getting back in my rhythm. I'm always looking for the big move. My whole thing was to get on top once and finish the match. Once my hands got locked, I didn't want to unlock them until my hand was getting raised."    Joe Warren (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) also had an impressive win, defeating 2002 World placewinner Makato Sasamoto 4-0 in overtime. Warren led 1-0 heading into the extra period when the two locked in the clinch. Warren was able to force Sasamoto to break his hold and then used a gut wrench to score two exposure points to earn the win.    Also earning wins for U.S. Team #1 were Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ross Thatcher (State College, Pa./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.    U.S. Team #3 dismantled Uzbekistan in their dual meet. The U.S. only lost one match, when Glenn Nieradka (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) injury defaulted to Dilshod Aripov at 60 kg/132 lbs.    Marcel Cooper (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) and Jason Loukides (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) both won overtime decisions. Cooper defeated Asliddin Khudayberdiev 2-1 and Loukides downed Evgeniy Erofailov 1-1, earning the win on fewest number of cautions in the match.    Action at the Concord Cup will Sunday at 12:00 p.m. There will be wrestling on two mats simultaneously on Sunday. Log on to TheMat.com for complete coverage.