Mena only U.S. winner in a pair of dual meets in Vladikavkaz, Ossetia, Russia

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
02/05/2003


Mike Mena (Bloomington, Ind./New York AC) was the only U.S. wrestler to win a match during a pair of World Dual meets between the United States and Russia in freestyle wrestling.    The matches were held in Vladikavkaz, in the Ossetia region of Russia. This is one of the world's top international wrestling hotbeds, the home of numerous World and Olympic wrestling stars.    An all-star team from the Russian national team defeated the USA, 16-7, and an all-star team from the Ossetia region stopped Team USA, 15-7.    Mena, competing at 55 kg/121 lbs. scored a 5-4 overtime win over Maulet Batirov in the dual meet against Russia. In the dual against Ossetia, Mena pinned Sabor Khobenjhti in the second period.    In the dual against Russia, the closest loss by an American came at 96 kg/211.5 pounds, where Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) was edged by Russian star Giorgi Gogshildze, 9-7.    Against Ossetia, the tightest match came at 120 kg/264.5 pounds, where Olympic and World Champion David Mussulbes edged Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), 3-2.    The U.S. participated in the duals after wrestling in the Yarygin Memorial International in Krasnoyarsk, Russia last weekend. None of the U.S. athletes were able to place in that major international event.    DUAL MEETS IN VLADIKAVKAZ, OSSETIA    Russia 16, USA 7  55 kg/121 lbs. - Mike Mena (USA) dec. Maulet Batrirov (Russia), 5-4, ot  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Zaur Botaev (Russia) dec. Jamill Kelly (USA), 4-1  74 kg/163 lbs. - Magomed Isagadjiyev (Russia) dec. Ramico Blackmon (USA), 7-2  84 kg/185 lbs. - Vadim Laliyev (Russia) dec. Charles Burton (USA), 6-0  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Giorgi Gogshilidze (Russia) dec. Daniel Cormier (USA), 9-7  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Oleg Khorpikov (Russia) dec. Tolly Thompson (USA), 3-1    Ossetia 15, USA 7  55 kg/121 lbs. - Mike Mena (USA) pin Sabor Khobenjhti (Ossetia) (2nd period)  66 kg/145.5 lbs. -Irbek Farniev (Ossetia) dec. Jamill Kelly (USA), 6-0  74 kg/163 lbs. -Ruslan Kokayev (Ossetia) dec. Ramico Blackmon (USA), 7-0  84 kg/185 lbs. - Khajimurat Gadzalov (Ossetia) dec. Charles Burton (USA), 3-1  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Khadjimurat Tigiyev (Ossetia) dec. Daniel Cormier (USA), 9-2  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - David Mussulbes (Ossetia) dec. Tolly Thompson (USA), 3-2